10 INNINGS: Mets 4 – Padres 2

Turmoil has permeated the Mets’ clubhouse of late like a virus, dragging even the most innocent of victims (see Mike Piazza) into its wake.

With the Mets staggering through this season – winning one, then losing two or three in a row – they’ve had a hair-cutting controversy rear its poorly-coifed head, then there was the sophomoric mismanagement of the Piazza-to-first base issue bungled by Mets’ GM Steve Phillips added to the Mo Vaughn saga.

Amid negative energy that has engulfed these Mets, however, there has been one consistent ray of positive light beaming through the cluttered circus that seems to have rooted itself at Shea.

His name is Al Leiter.

Leiter, not Tom Glavine, remains the Mets’ ace – as he’s been for most of the six years he’s pitched in this town.

He proved that again yesterday even while leaving the Mets’ 4-2 10-inning victory over the Padres yesterday with a no-decision.

Leiter, 4-1, didn’t have his best stuff yesterday, not even close, which is what made his effort all the more impressive.

In very un-Leiter-like fashion, he walked the bases loaded in the second before finally getting out of the inning with a strikeout. He got out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth, as well.

Leiter struggled, but as he does every fifth day, he gave the Mets ample chance to win the game, which they eventually did.

“Al is a warrior; he did a great job,” Art Howe said. “The only drawback [to the win] was that he didn’t get the win. I went to him before the game and said, ‘Al, we need you to go deep today.’ He said, ‘I’ll give it all I’ve got.’ ”