MONTREAL (Ticker) -- Edwards Guzman hit his first home run in nearly two years and rookie Claudio Vargas allowed three hits in eight innings to lead the Montreal Expos to a 3-0 blanking of the Pittsburgh Pirates .

Guzman homered in the third inning off Pirates starter Jeff Suppan (5-7), squeaking a 1-1 pitch over the right field fence. It was his first homer since August 9, 2001, when he was with the Cincinnati Reds .

Guzman has hit in 11 straight games since being recalled from Class AAA Edmonton on June 7. He is batting .350 (14-for-40) during the streak while filling in for injured superstar Vladimir Guerrero .

"He's been a very pleasant surprise," Expos manager Frank Robinson said. "Offensively, we knew he had a pretty good bat, but we didn't know whether he was going to have that success back here. He hits the ball where it's pitched and he showed tonight that he can turn on the ball inside."

Vargas (4-3) was impressive in winning for the first time in his last three starts. The righthander struck out two, walked one and departed after throwing 90 pitches.

"Today, I think was my best game," Vargas said. "I K'd only two, but it doesn't matter."

Rocky Biddle pitched a hitless ninth for his 20th save in 23 chances.

"I'm just trying to do my job and do it to the best of my ability," Biddle said. "And try not to blow games."

Led by Vargas and Biddle, the Expos recorded their National League-leading seventh shutout.

Suppan allowed three runs and eight hits in seven innings. The righthander issued three walks and struck out three.

"He certainly gave the innings we need, considering our bullpen shape," Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon said. "We need to rest our bullpen and he certainly came up big for us."

Montreal opened the scoring in the second when catcher Brian Schneider doubled home Ron Calloway .

Schneider, who entered the game hitless in his last seven at-bats, went 2-for-3.

"I'm one of the guys that's been struggling," Schneider said. "I'm just trying to put the ball in play and get something going. If the ball hits the gap, it's a big lift for the team and hopefully gives Vargas some confidence, not that he needed it tonight."

Jose Vidro added an RBI single and made a spectacular diving stop at second base in the ninth inning.

Pittsburgh lost for the 12th time in its last 19 games.