JUPITER, Fla. (AP) _ Craig Paquette stepped in for Mark McGwire at first base and at the plate Saturday.

Paquette hit run-scoring doubles in the second and fourth innings as the St. Louis Cardinals lost to the Montreal Expos 3-2 in 10 innings.

McGwire was sidelined for the third straight game as a precautionary measure because of a strained groin. It was not believed to be serious, and he would have played had it been during the regular season.

Andy Benes pitched four shutout innings for the Cardinals. Benes, who had been hit hard earlier this spring, allowed two hits and two walks while striking out five, including his first three batters.

``He's getting better every time out,'' Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. ``It's just a natural progression.''

In his first three starts, including a ``B'' game last Monday against Montreal, Benes gave up nine runs and 17 hits in 7 2-3 innings, striking out six. He returned to the Cardinals this year after two seasons with the expansion Arizona Diamondbacks.

Fernando Seguignol singled home the winning run in the 10th off Luther Hackman after a leadoff double by Trace Coquillette, a sacrifice by Peter Bergeron and consecutive intentional walks that loaded the bases.

Montreal had tied the score with two runs in the sixth off Paul Spoljaric. Geoff Blum doubled home Peter Bergeron, who had walked. Blum scored on Vladimir Guerrero's triple off Heathcliff Slocumb.

Winner Shayne Bennett pitched two hitless innings, completing a six-hitter.

Notes: Lee Stevens grounded out twice and lined out to short in his first appearance with the Expos after being acquired Thursday from Texas in a three-team swap of first basemen. He was wearing uniform No. 20, previously worn by Brad Fullmer, who went to Toronto in the deal.