Tsuyoshi Shinjo’s body is as slight as a super model’s. With his hair featuring red highlights, his appearance isn’t exactly Jack Lambert-esque.

“I’m very impressed with his toughness,” Bobby Valentine said. “He’s been in and out and a little up and down and he keeps battling.”

After only lacking a double for the cycle in last night’s 6-2 win over the Phillies, Shinjo was informed the Mets moved past the Marlins into third place in the NL East.

“Very good,” the resilient Shinjo said. “Now we’re going to second place.”

Who can doubt Shinjo? He led the Mets into third place for the first time since May 7 by smacking a three-run homer in the first, a single in the third and a triple in the fifth. He scored three runs and made a leaping catch against the warning track in the sixth inning.

The Mets’ effort mirrors Shinjo’s. Although, they all know that being 9 ½ back with 28 games left is virtually insurmountable, they haven’t quit.

“I think this is a team of character,” co-owner Fred Wilpon told The Post. “They may not have been as successful as they would’ve like to have been, but they are playing hard every single day and I have no qualms about that.”

Steve Trachsel (8-11) is a good example of not quitting. Trachsel is 6-1 with a 2.76 ERA over his last nine starts. Three of those games have been against the Phillies. They have all been victories, thanks in large part to a 2.05 ERA.

“When we look back at the end, we’ll probably feel like we should’ve had a better shot at it,” Trachsel said.

Valentine isn’t losing hope, even though there isn’t much to grab on to. The Mets have played better, winning nine of 12 as they head into the final month, which features three games each with the Phillies and Braves.

“We’ll see,” Valentine said. “I think there is a lot of season left. With this divisional play, it’s going to be interesting.”

Phillies manager Larry Bowa added, “The Mets are playing like they should’ve been playing. In this division, there are no easy games.”

Shinjo made it look easy last night. When he came to the plate in the seventh, the Shea crowd roared, wanting to witness the first Met cycle since John Olerud’s on Sept. 11, 1997.

“I wanted to hit for the cycle for them,” Shinjo said.