It was all so predictable, right? One day after suffering a two-hit shutout and with a lineup that looked like something out of Triple-A, the Mets naturally exploded for a season-high in runs Wednesday night while getting another strong outing from unheralded Fernando Nieve in an 11-0 laugher over the Cardinals.

Colleague Kevin Kernan can’t help but admire the resiliency of the Mets’ reserves.

Gary Sheffield needed a cortisone shot in his knee Wednesday and is trying to stave off a DL stint.

Nick Evans homered in his first start since being called up after a wild ride in the minors this season.

In the notes, Carlos Beltran is expected to get a second opinion from an outside doctor on his ailing right knee.

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