We never had a team good enough to beat Montreal.

The Mets had beaten Montreal and were two games out of first place now.

Sutcliffe (16-8) hadn't won a game since July 28, when he also beat Montreal.

On the same weekend, Detroit moved into first place, beating Montreal twice.

But when they came back tonight, they made us realize that the way we beat Montreal is the way we've got to play here.

"He went over the game plan and told us how he hoped we would beat Montreal."

Maybe we've taken these teams too lightly after beating Montreal and Toronto in our streak.

He spoke Monday night after 3,923 fans watched Florida beat Montreal, 4-1.

He was also coming off a start last Wednesday in which he threw 149 pitches to beat Montreal.

They beat Montreal for the first time at home in 10 games (1-8-1) since Oct. 15, 1988.