ST. LOUIS — The Mets will try to bounce back from Tuesday’s mistake-filled disaster of a loss to the Cardinals when John Maine takes to the mound here tonight. Like the rest of the Mets’ rotation not named Johan Santana, Maine has been up and down this season. He is coming off a rocky outing last week against the Padres at Citi Field in which he allowed six runs on seven hits in just five innings.

Maine is 1-1 with a 5.63 ERA in three career regular-season starts against the Cardinals, with the lone win coming April 4, 2007, in his first start of that season.

Maine will be faced by Cardinals right-hander Joel Pineiro, who is 1-0 with a 4.76 ERA in three career starts against the Mets. Pineiro made two starts versus the Amazin’s last year but did not get a decision in either.

Here is the 6-7 Mets’ batting order for the 8:15 p.m. game:

Jose Reyes SS

Daniel Murphy LF

David Wright 3B

Carlos Delgado 1B

Carlos Beltran CF

Ryan Church RF

Ramon Castro C

Luis Castillo 2B

John Maine RHP (0-1, 7.20)

Maine’s numbers against the Cardinals’ hitters

The 9-5 Cardinals will counter with:

Skip Schumacher 2B

Colby Rasmus RF

Albert Pujols 1B

Chris Duncan LF

Rick Ankiel CF

Yadier Molina C

Khalil Greene SS

Joe Thurston 3B

Joel Pineiro RHP (2-0, 5.40)

Pineiro’s numbers against the Mets’ hitters

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The Texas Rangers claimed reliever Darren O’Day off waivers before the Mets could offer the Rule 5 pick back to the Angels, his original team.

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Nelson Figueroa — upset after being called up for just one day to start against the Brewers last weekend — cleared waivers and is deciding whether to accept a trip back to Triple-A Buffalo.

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The Mets have promoted Freddy Garcia to Buffalo from extended spring training as part of his comeback from reconstructive shoulder surgery.