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Monday's crowd was the smallest non-pandemic gathering in the history of the current stadium.

°¿²ÔÌý vs. Montreal, 16,965 fans gathered to watch Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez and the Expos win 2-1 in a game that was rescheduled after it was snowed out in April.

The Cardinals finished 73-89 that season with an average attendance of 32,772. This season, they're averaging under 29,000.

Below is the game story from that game that ran in the following day's Post-Dispatch, Aug. 26, 1997.

By Mike Eisenbath

Of the Post Staff

Manny Aybar has a fine right arm and a marvelous future with the Cardinals. He certainly has caught the attention of countryman Pedro Martinez.

"That kid is going to be something spectacular," Martinez said.

Aybar, a rookie, might be one of the most impressive young products of the Dominican Republic toiling in the big leagues. That he still hasn't won a game after making his fifth start with the Cardinals on Monday night owed to one thing: Montreal's Martinez probably is the best veteran product of the Dominican fields.

Martinez gave up only four hits and fanned 13 Cardinals in the Expos' 2-1 victory at Busch Stadium.

"If I hadn't been on like I was tonight," Martinez said, "(Aybar) probably would have walked away with the win."

Not likely - not in 1997 and maybe not for several years to come. Martinez came within one out of recording his 12th complete game but still improved his record to 15-6 and lowered his National League-leading earned-run average to 1.61.

"There are a lot of good pitchers in the league," said catcher Darrin Fletcher, whose fifth-inning homer gave the Expos a lead they never lost.

The National League has wellknown Cy Young Award candidates such as Greg Maddux, Darryl Kile, Denny Neagle, Kevin Brown. ...

"But I think Pedro is the best," Fletcher said.

A crowd of 16,965 bought tickets for the game, which was a makeup for one snowed out in April's season-opening series. Those who gathered at Busch didn't see an avalanche of offense, not unusual from a couple of teams scuffling for runs: The Cardinals have scored two runs in their past 27 innings; the Expos have scored fewer than three runs in 11 of Martinez's 25 starts.

Fans did witness a splendid night of work from two competitive, talented pitchers.

"That's good baseball," Cards third baseman Gary Gaetti said. "I know it's not exciting to watch. But I hope the fans appreciate how good (Martinez) was tonight. He's tops. He's the best in the league right now."

Aybar and Martinez also faced each other last Wednesday in Montreal. The Cards won that game 6-3, with neither pitcher involved in the decisions. Martinez also fanned 13 in that game, giving him 26 strikeouts in his past 15â…“ innings against the Cardinals.

The Cards had two hits through the first eight innings. Martinez, who threw 139 pitches, began to tire in the ninth. Phil Plantier doubled and moved to third when Lansing made a terrific stop of a grounder to throw out Ray Lankford. Gary Gaetti got Plantier home with a sacrifice fly that rookie Vladimir Guerrero chased down in foul territory in the right-field corner.

After Ron Gant doubled, Montreal manager Felipe Alou lifted Martinez for reliever Ugueth Urbina. He walked Dmitri Young, then ended the game by getting Tom Lampkin to fly out.

"I thought I could get that last out," Martinez said. "When (Alou) took me out, I was feeling cocky about it."

Urbina got the save, but Martinez commanded the respect.

"He was dealing," Lampkin said. "When he's on, he's dominating. And he was on."

Martinez said: "I feel the same way every five days. It's hard, I'm not going to lie to you. But I feel like I can do anything right now."

Aybar isn't at that level yet, but he's shown marked improvement each outing. He scattered baserunners throughout his eight innings on three walks, five hits and an errant throw by shortstop Royce Clayton. The Expos stranded two of those in scoring position.