NEW YORK >> Pete Alonso golfed an early three-run homer and the New York Mets hammered an ineffective Jack Flaherty, extending the National League Championship Series with a 12-6 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 on Friday.

Starling Marte had three doubles, four hits and three RBIs for New York. Francisco Alvarez broke out of a slump with three hits — including an RBI single in a five-run third inning. Francisco Lindor and Jesse Winker each laced an RBI triple.

After getting blown out in three of the first four games, the wild-card Mets saved their season for the second time in these playoffs.

Game 6 is Sunday in Los Angeles.

College basketball

UVA’s Bennett cites NIL as reason for retiring >> Describing himself as “a square peg in a round hole,” a tearful Tony Bennett said he suddenly retired from coaching at Virginia because he wasn’t suited to navigate the current landscape of college basketball.

Bennett told those gathered at his exit news conference that name, image and likeness money and the transfer portal have brought elements to the job that he’s “not great at.”

Bennett famously led Virginia to the 2019 national championship a year after becoming the first team downed by a 16-seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Former assistant Ron Sanchez will take over as interim coach.

Pro football

Jay Cutler charged with DUI >> Former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler was arrested and charged with driving under the influence and possession of a handgun after a minor collision on Thursday.

Cutler, 41, was given a $5,000 bond and was released, according to a statement from the Franklin Police Department.

Cutler played 12 seasons in the NFL, throwing for 35,133 yards and 227 touchdowns for Denver, Chicago and Miami. He retired after the 2017 season with the Dolphins.

Pro basketball

Wings fire coach >> The Dallas Wings fired coach Latricia Trammell.

Trammell went 31-49 in two seasons with the Dallas Wings, including 2-3 in the playoffs. This past season the team went 9-31 and missed the WNBA postseason for the first time since 2020.

The Wings will also look to hire a general manager for the first time.