Determined Dunston Credits Aggressiveness

The New York Mets praised third baseman Robin Ventura for delivering the game-winning hit during their stirring 4-3, 15-inning victory over the Atlanta Braves in Game 5 of the National League championship series.

They praised Shawon Dunston for getting things started in the inning.

Dunston fouled off six pitches in a 12-pitch at-bat before hitting a leadoff single against reliever Kevin McGlinchy. Dunston scored the tying run when McGlinchy walked Todd Pratt with the bases loaded.

Dunston pinch hit for pitcher Armando Benitez in the 10th inning and played center field. The Braves took a 3-2 lead in the 15th on Keith Lockhart’s two-out, run-scoring triple to center, and Dunston knew the pressure would be on him leading off the Mets’ half of the inning.

“I wasn’t going to go down looking,” said Dunston, a 15-year veteran acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals on July 31. “I’m an aggressive hitter, and I told myself to be myself up there. I just stayed aggressive.”

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A questionable coaching decision in the 13th cost the Braves.

Second baseman Lockhart--whose run-scoring triple in the 15th gave the Braves the go-ahead run--singled with two out in the 13th against Octavio Dotel, the Mets’ ninth pitcher.

Chipper Jones then doubled into the right-field corner and Lockhart appeared to slow down approaching third before noticing that Atlanta third base coach Ned Yost was waving him in.

Lockhart, not among the fastest Braves, rounded third while Met second baseman Edgardo Alfonzo caught a relay throw from right fielder Melvin Mora and threw to catcher Mike Piazza. Piazza had the ball while Lockhart was halfway between third and the plate.

Lockhart collided with Piazza, who held on to end the inning.

“I liked the odds,” Yost said. “We were scrapping for runs, Lockhart was running [on contact] and the grass was wet.

“I know the outfielder has to get to the ball and make a good throw. The relay man has to catch it and make a good throw, and the catcher has to hold onto it. All that had to happen.”

It did.

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Greg Maddux pitched a typically strong game Sunday, giving up only seven hits and two runs.

Watching from the bench was difficult, Maddux said.

“It was a very tough game to lose,” he said. “A couple of times, I wanted to throw up. Sometimes, I wanted to high-five guys. Other times, I wanted to put my fist through a wall.

“The game had everything. Except a victory for us at the end.”