MET NOTES

Braden Looper has only pitched twice in the past 12 games. He’s feeling strong, but the Met closer isn’t sure if he’s strong enough to throw in both ends of today’s doubleheader.

“I’ve done it more than once,” Looper said. “It’s a tricky thing. In the big leagues, you have a job. It’ll be interesting to see what happens.”

Before the Mets’ 5-1 victory over the Giants, manager Willie Randolph said there was no plan to get Looper into the game simply to stay sharp. Randolph’s strategy will pay off if the Mets need a closer in both ends of the twinbill.

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Miguel Cairo (hamstring) ran yesterday. Although the Mets could certainly use him in today’s doubleheader, Randolph will not rush him back even though the infielder said he’s feeling good.

“It’s hard to tell with hamstrings,” Randolph said. “He’d have to really convince me that he’s ready to go.”

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Industry sources indicate former Reds closer Danny Graves will probably sign with Florida in the next couple of days . . . Met GM Omar Minaya said the team would take the best available player with the ninth pick in the upcoming draft, which starts Tuesday. Since the Mets have no second- or third-round pick, they will probably make up for it with international signings.

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Chris Woodward played a great game at first yesterday, stealing a base hit from Mike Matheny in the seventh with a diving catch of a liner and initiating a 3-6-3 double play on Lance Niekro in the ninth.

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Fans with tickets to tonight’s game are allowed to attend both ends of the twinbill. Gates open at 2:40 p.m. Ticket-holders from Friday’s game can exchange them for tickets to any other game this year (subject to availability).

Additional reporting by Andrew Marchand.