MLB

ON DECK: METS AT ROCKIES

The Mets’ road trip continues, and as they head west they try not to head any further south in the NL East standings. Perhaps the thin Colorado air will cure their recent offensive woes.

“We just need to forget about this series and go out there and play well in Colorado, and turn this thing around,” David Wright told mets.com.

The Mets managed to score nine runs in a four-game series with the Braves, getting swept in Atlanta and putting manager Willie Randolph’s job in serious jeopardy.

“Not just today, the whole series they played great baseball,â Johan Santana said of the Braves. “They did the little things. They took advantage. And we didn’t.â

It was a season-high fourth loss in a row for the Amazin’s, who have lost all six games they’ve played in Turner Field this season.

“I just hope we remember this and the next time we come here we can get some payback,â Randolph said. “Three-game sweeps are tough enough, but to come in and get beat four in a row, it stinks. It really hurts.â

The Mets (22-23) are below .500 for the first time since April 13. At 2-4 on this nine-game road trip, the Mets look to bounce back starting tonight in Colorado (9:05, SNY, WFAN).

It won’t be easy. The Rockies swept the Mets in their lone visit to Denver last season, outscoring them 34-12 in three games.

But the reigning National League champions have struggled this season and sit at 18-29, one game out of last place in the NL West. Third baseman Garrett Atkins leads the team in batting average (.332), home runs (seven) and RBIs (28).

The Mets are 4- 1/2 games behind the Florida Marlins in the NL East, and would like to gain some ground this weekend before heading home for tough series against the Dodgers and Marlins.

Tonight’s Pitching Matchup:

Mets LHP Oliver Perez (4-3, 4.25 ERA) Perez is looking for his third consecutive win, trying to build on his solid outing against the Yankees last Sunday night, when he pitched 7-2/3 innings, allowing two runs and three hits in the Mets’ 11-2 victory. It was the first time this season Perez pitched into the seventh inning.

Rockies RHP Greg Reynolds (0-1, 3.09 ERA) The rookie right-hander pitched six strong innings in his prior outing and did not allow a run to the Twins, but was unable to get a decision as the Rockies provided him with no offense in a 3-2 loss.

With AP and mets.com