From MIKE PUMA

JUPITER, Fla. — John Maine‘s troubling spring took a turn for the better today, when the right-hander allowed one earned run over five innings here in the Mets’ 9-5 exhibition victory over the Cardinals. Maine, who entered 0-1 with a 10.38 ERA this spring, allowed six hits and struck out five with three walks. The Cardinals scored three runs with Maine on the mound, but two were unearned.

“I feel good out there pitching, but when you sit back out there at the game and you just look strictly at numbers, you know it doesn’t feel too good,” Maine said. “But I feel fine out there pitching, and that’s the biggest thing.”

It was Maine’s first start since he and pitching coach Dan Warthen tinkered with his mecahnics during a Monday bullpen session, widening Maine’s stride.

“Other than the walks, I thought he threw well,” catcher Brian Schneider said. “He could have thrown good, but not gotten the big outs and then we wouldn’t be talking about the same thing, but when he got in trouble he got out of it.”

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Johan Santana is getting what is expected to be his last spring start against Grapefruit League competition tomorrow night when the Mets play host to the Nationals. Also scheduled to pitch is reliever Frankie Rodriguez in his first actual game appearance since returning from the WBC.

More details in tomorrow’s print and online editions of The Post …