JUPITER, Fla. (AP) _ Miguel Batista says he understands his role with the Montreal Expos. He may not be satisfied with it, but he understands it.

``I know when Mike Thurman is healthy again, I'll be back in the bullpen,'' Batista said after facing the minimum in three innings Wednesday as the Montreal Expos beat Baltimore Orioles 6-2.

Batista got the start when Thurman was unable to take his turn because of tendinits in his pitching elbow. The right-hander will throw on the side Thursday and have more tests Friday.

Thurman complained of soreness after pitching two innings Saturday and allowing four runs, three hits and three walks.

Batista, 29, was in the Expos starting rotation at the start of last season and went 7-5 with a 4.56 ERA. He went 1-2 with one save and a 5.75 ERA as a reliever.

``He has a healthy arm and he's done a lot for us,'' Montreal manager Felipe Alou said. ``Today, he was an emergency starter on short notice.''

Montreal made three double plays in the first four innings and played errorless.

``We're showing improvement in defense and hitting,'' Batista said. ``The worst feeling when you're pitching is to be afraid to let the batter make contact. But things are getting better this year.''

Montreal scored four times in the fourth off Jason Johnson on a single by Andy Tracy and doubles by Charlie O'Brien, Jose Vidro and Mickey Morandini, who drove in two runs.

They added two more runs in the eighth off Chuck McElroy when Mike Mordecai doubled in one run and scored the other on an infield out.

Jeff Conine got Baltimore's first hit, a solo homer off Bryan Hebson in the fifth. Conine doubled off Anthony Telford leading off the eighth and scored on an infield out.

Five pitchers held the Orioles to four hits.