(My Sportsbook) - The Montreal Expos went to San Juan, Puerto Rico two weeks ago hoping that the fans would come out in droves to see them. Quietly, they wondered whether the Puerto Rican economy could support such a venture by Major League Baseball.

It didn't take long for the short term questions to be answered, as Hiram Bithorn Stadium was rocking from game one to 10. Not one time did the attendance dip below 10,000, which is more than can be said for Olympic Stadium, where the Expos averaged nearly that mark per contest in 2002.

During the 10-game slate, the Expos tallied a 6-4 mark and grabbed the top slot in the NL East. The first of three Expos' homestands in 2003 was considered a dazzling success by many in the Puerto Rican community.

"We were thrilled with the turnout and support of this historic first homestand," said Jose Suarez, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. "We invite baseball fans everywhere to come out and see for themselves how exciting Major League Baseball in Puerto Rico is."

Montreal actually had its games televised locally by Deportes 13 in Puerto Rico, which trumps its non-existent television deal north of the border. So why only 22 of its 81 home games in Puerto Rico? Because the fact remains that San Juan isn't exactly a thriving metropolis like a Washington D.C., which is one of a few sites mentioned when discussing where the Expos could move in the coming seasons.

Nonetheless, Puerto Rico did a nice job in its short stint hosting the club and should in the future. San Juan is a perfect site for occasional home games for the Expos, as the fans, country and players win.

"These games are very important to us in that they will result in an $8 "These games are very important to us in that they will result in an $8 million impact on the local economy and immense media exposure for our million impact on the local economy and immense media exposure for our island's tourism industry," said Suarez.

So what happens to the Expos now? First of all, they return to Olympic Stadium to complete their 16-game homestand against Arizona and Houston. In the process, the Expos will try to recover some of their early season magic, which saw them open up at 9-4.

Montreal slipped a bit down the stretch in Puerto Rico, losing four of its final six on the island. The Expos' struggles continued on Sunday with a 7-5 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

Reliever Luis Ayala (1-1) took the loss after being tagged for three hits and two runs over two innings. Ayala surrendered back-to-back homers to Adam Dunn and Felipe Lopez in the ninth frame. Starter Tony Armas Jr. struggled in the defeat, surrendering eight hits and five runs over six frames. Armas fanned six and walked one in the no-decision.

"It was a beautiful experience, with beautiful fans," Armas said.

The Expos can only hope that when they return to Puerto Rico in early June that they will be in a similar spot in the East standings.

WHO'S HOT

Puerto Rico native Jose Vidro continues to swing a hot bat with hits in 10 of his last 11 games. Vidro went 0-for-3 on Sunday, but he went 5-for-13 with six runs scored and four doubles in the previous three tilts. For the year, Vidro is hitting .328 with three homers and 10 RBI.

WHO'S NOT

Closer Rocky Biddle has had back-to-back unimpressive outings, giving up four hits and seven runs over two innings of action. Biddle has walked five and struck out three during the contests.

COMING UP

The Expos open their three-game set against the Diamondbacks at Olympic Stadium on Tuesday. After their six-game slate in Montreal, the Expos make trips to Milwaukee and St. Louis.