JUPITER, Fla. (AP) _ Sidney Ponson pitched five strong innings and Jorge Julio struck out Randy Knorr to end the game with a runner on third as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Montreal Expos 3-2 on Wednesday.

Making his third start of the spring, Ponson held the Expos to two hits, striking out five. Vladimir Guerrero scored Montreal's only run off the right-hander on two throwing errors in the second inning.

``I pitched better today than I did against Texas last Saturday,'' Ponson said. ``I just tried not to rush it today and I had better command of my pitches. I'm very happy with this outing.''

Jeff Conine singled home Brady Anderson with in the first inning, then doubled and scored on Melvin Moras' pop double in the fifth. Geoff Blum hit the game's only homer for Montreal in the sixth.

Mike Kinkade scored Baltimore's go-ahead run in the ninth on a walk, sacrifice, steal and an infield force play.

The Expos threatened in the last of the ninth when Leslie Brea hit Ryan Minor. Brea struck out the next two batters and pinch- hitter Andy Tracy hit a high bouncer past second baseman Jerry Hairston as Minor took third.

Julio relieved and struck out Knorr.

``The hardest thrower in our organization,'' said Syd Thrift, vice president of baseball operations.

Notes: An MRI exam was scheduled Wednesday on infielder Jose Vidro's strained right shoulder and pitcher Scott Downs' left elbow. ... Baltimore OF Luis Matos has surgery to repair a dislocated left shoulder.