Finishing where they start

The Montreal Expos spend their last day in existence 20 years ago today in New York, losing 8-1 to the Mets before a Sunday afternoon crowd of 33,569 at Shea Stadium.

The game starts well enough for the Expos, who take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning as an opposite-field single to left by Terrmel Sledge off future Hall of Famer Tom Glavine easily scores Jamey Carroll from third base.

Tom Glavine facing the Expos in their final game 20 years ago today

From there, though, the Expos manage only three more hits off Glavine and relievers Heath Bell, John Franco and Bartolome Fortunato.

Sledge finishes with two of the Expos’ final five hits, while Valentino Pascucci picks up the other three on two singles and a double.

The end formally comes at 4:23 p.m. as Endy Chavez grounds out to second baseman Jeff Keppinger for the final out of the game.

Coincidentally, the Washington-bound Expos end where they begin: Shea Stadium, where they beat the Mets 11-10 in the first game of their existence on April 8, 1969.