MET NOTES

PHOENIX – After bypassing well-known specialists like Mackie Shilstone and Ming Chew, the Mets have finally found someone to help mend Jose Reyes.

Mark Lindsay, who has an impressive background training top runners, has been brought in to work with the ailing phenom. Reyes has been out since March 14 with a strained right hamstring and has suffered five leg injuries in the last 17 months.

“I’m not sure if you call [Lindsay] a hamstring specialist, but he’s someone who works with world-class runners,” Peter Greenberg, Reyes’ agent, said.

Reyes did not want to fly to see a specialist and worry about missing valuable rehab time in St. Lucie, so the Mets flew the Toronto-based Lindsay to St. Lucie to treat Reyes instead. Greenberg is optimistic Reyes can heal faster with Lindsay in tow.

*

Since his game-winning double on Sunday, Kaz Matsui has been on a tear. In his three games in Arizona, Matsui has gone 5-for-11 with four extra-base hits (a homer and three doubles), four runs scored and three RBIs.

“Emotionally, I think I’m more relaxed because of that double,” Matsui said.

Interestingly, after Matsui’s homer off Randy Johnson to lead off Wednesday’s game, TV cameras caught Johnson complaining the roof should be closed in Bank One Ballpark. The Big Unit was obviously upset at how the ball was traveling, but Art Howe said of Matsui’s blast, “[The open roof] had nothing to do with that ball. That ball was kissed.”

*

Braden Looper update: With his 1 1/3 scoreless innings on Wednesday, Looper has still not allowed an earned run this year and is the only closer in baseball to have a 0.00 ERA. His new totals are 15 games, 17 2/3 innings, zero unintentional walks and 11 strikeouts.

*

Pitching matchups for the Astros series: tonight, Steve Trachsel (3-3, 3.48 ERA) vs. RHP Roy Oswalt (2-1, 2.90); tomorrow, James Baldwin (0-1, 27.00) vs. LHP Andy Pettitte (3-1, 3.22); Sunday, Al Leiter (1-2, 2.52) vs. RHP Roger Clemens (7-0, 1.99).