This Time, Edge Goes to the Braves, 3-2

If the first two games are any indication, the National League East race between the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets should be exceptional.

Pinch-hitter Keith Lockhart knocked in the winning run on a fielder’s choice in the ninth inning Wednesday night and the Braves edged the Mets, 3-2.

Brian Jordan opened the ninth with a walk against loser Donne Wall before Turk Wendell came on and retired Javy Lopez on a fly to left.

Rico Brogna, however, doubled to right, sending Jordan to third before Lockhart hit a bouncer to the right side of the mound. Wendell fielded the ball, but his off-balance throw home wasn’t close as Jordan scored the winning run.

“It was like slow motion [the final play],” Wendell said. “I’ll probably laugh when I see the replay. I don’t know if I was falling with class, or if there was anything athletic about it.”

“Wow,” said Brave Manager Bobby Cox after the second consecutive game between the two clubs with last-minute heroics.

On Tuesday, the Mets won, 6-4, in 10 innings when Robin Ventura hit the second of his two-run homers.

The two favorites in the East still have 17 games matchups left in a season when the schedule was expanded so division teams would play each other more often.

The Braves got six strong innings from Kevin Millwood, who had a poor spring. The right-hander, who had a 12.46 earned-run average during spring training, gave up three hits and one run, walked one and struck out two.

“It wasn’t pretty in the spring,” Millwood said, “but I feel like I’m where I need to be now.”