MLB

Pelfrey’s gem just what Mets needed

DENVER — Mike Pelfrey took a tourniquet yesterday and displayed the proper technique in stabilizing a hemorrhaging wound.

After four straight losses, the Mets desperately needed somebody to step up and say “Follow me.” More than anything, they needed it from a starting pitcher.

Pelfrey rose to the occasion with seven shutout innings that helped the Mets grab a 5-0 victory at Coors Field and avoid a complete Rocky Mountain low.

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The Mets have three victories this season, and Pelfrey owns two of them. The right-hander didn’t encounter as much as a whiff of trouble against a tough Rockies lineup, allowing only two runners to reach second base — and none got to third.

“You kind of felt like we were in control the whole game,” Jeff Francoeur said. “That was a fun game.”

The Mets (3-6) certainly can use a winning streak, but with Albert Pujols and the Cardinals waiting in St. Louis, that won’t be an easy accomplishment.

Nevertheless, manager Jerry Manuel refuses to believe any of his players have pushed the panic button less than two weeks into the season.

“Our guys, we have enough character to handle some difficult situations and adversity,” Manuel said. “If we flinch or panic, then we really weren’t ready. We have to be able to take on some different things.”

Pelfrey’s performance allowed an overtaxed bullpen to catch a break after John Maine lasted only three innings on Tuesday and Jon Niese survived just five the following night. Pedro Feliciano and Francisco Rodriguez nailed down yesterday’s victory with a scoreless inning apiece.

“I feel like I’m in control of myself, which is not letting things get to me,” Pelfrey said. “That is huge.”

It didn’t hurt the Mets’ psyche to defeat one of the NL’s top lefties, Jorge De La Rosa, who allowed five earned runs on eight hits and five walks over six innings. It was De La Rosa’s first loss since Sept. 1 of last season.

The Mets built off a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning by loading the bases and getting a run on Angel Pagan’s RBI fielder’s choice as he raced down the line to avoid an inning-ending double play. Pelfrey followed with an RBI single. In the fifth, Luis Castillo scored on a wild pitch to give the Mets a 5-0 lead.

After going 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position on Wednesday, the Mets pounced early yesterday, getting a first-inning RBI single from Jason Bay.

Pelfrey got the Mets a run in the third by drawing a leadoff walk and scoring after getting caught in a rundown between third and home on Castillo’s grounder to third. Ian Stewart’s lob toward catcher Miguel Olivo hit Pelfrey in the back, giving the Mets a 2-0 lead.

The Mets managed to run themselves out of the inning, anyway. Castillo, thinking Reyes would steal third, broke for second base with Reyes returning to the bag. Castillo was tagged out. Later, Reyes was thrown out attempting to steal third base.

But Pelfrey wasn’t about to let any Mets’ base-running miscues come back to haunt them.

“He has three pretty good outings for me if you include the last one of spring training,” Manuel said. “He’s been very impressive.

“Pitching always establishes the tempo, and when we can do that and pitch well it gives us a chance. The pitching sets the tone.”

mpuma@nypost.com