HR in 13th gives Mets series lead By T.J. QUINN onship series on Robin Ventura's DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER grand slam-single in the 15th in- Benny Agbayani wasn't sup- ning. posed to be on this team when Maybe after a while such wins the season began. will lose their value, the way autoHe was the odd-man out, re- graphs do when someone signs member, because he had minor too many. But for Barry Bonds, league options and Jay Payton just a baby when it comes to the didn't. He was miserable for world of Mets magic, it's too weeks. much for the soul. But Bobby Valentine told his fa- "I wouldn't want to live like vorite stocky outfielder back in that every day," said Bonds. March that things had a way of Agbayani's hit was reminisworking them- cent of the home selves out over the CAN CLINCH TODAY run Todd Pratt hit course of a season, in the bottom of and that Agbayani METS 3 the 10th inning of would be a big Game 4 to win part of the 2000 GIANTS 2 last year's diviMets. sion series "I didn't understand that," Ag- against the Arizona Diamondhayani said last night. "Now I backs. do." "That was huge, but (AgbayHe almost didn't make the play- ani) has to climb a few steps on off squad when his right ham- the ladder to match mine," Pratt last night Agbayani found himself tory. weck team. string swing, very of And he the tightened with much became regular one a up part part in of season, the monumental of its this last his- but of of said. ment. In chance him. the Agbayani redemption to He's "Seriously, 11th help an was than the inning I've thinking overachiever." Mets been he overachieve- win had proud more it a With one out in the bottom of after Mike Piazza and Robin Ven- the 13th inning, Agbayani tura started the inning with sincracked a fastball from Aaron gles - it was Ventura's first hit Fultz with a swing that would of the postseason - but he failed even have impressed Bobby Thtwice to get down a bunt. The omson. Anyone who heard the first time he bunted foul, the seccollision of wood and ball knew ond time he pulled back, only to it was gone, and when Agbayani touched home plate at Shea, see the pitch called a strike. swallowed by a swarm of his "He really felt like he had let screaming, hopping teammates, the team down," Valentine said. the Mets had won, 3-2, and taken "He was kind of pacing in the a 2-1 lead in the best-of-5 divi- dugout, just hoping to get anothsion series. er chance." "I couldn't hear anything," Ag- Had Agbayani or another Met bayani said. "I just couldn't be- not gotten the team the win, the lieve it." game would he remembered as One more win and the Mets an ugly list of blown chances. will League move on Championship to the Series National for including They left four 10 in runners extra on innings. base, the second year in a row, this They survived five hitless inDAILY nals. time But against they the want St. Louis desperately Cardi- but nings chased by him Met-killer with a Russ run in Ortiz, the morrow. play a game White's bullpen, two capped by final winner innings, Rick to win this afternoon so they sixth and tied the game in the don't tonight have to to fly to fifth San Francisco to- eighth doubled in when Lenny Edgardo Harris. But Alfonzo the For the second game in a row the Mets won in extra pitched seven shutout frames to innings, this game hours time in and in 22 team the minutes. history The second-longest at previ- five of give "We've the dramatic Mets certainly a chance. had Todd our share Zeile wins," 4-3 ous 5:46, last when playoff Oct. the 17 game in Mets the at NL beat Shea champi- Atlanta took said. much dramatics." of a "Unfortunately, flair for we have late-inning too