On the Mets beat

These are carefree days in the Mets' clubhouse, even if they've now lost six of their last seven. The latest defeat Tuesday night, a 12-0 thrashing at the hands of the deposed Braves, couldn't wipe the smiles off the faces of most of the players who contributed to the 2006 NL East crown.

David Wright, though, was willing to speak to the recent skid. "It's about time to re-group and focus," the gritty third baseman said. "It's no knock on us to get beat by John Smoltz [who shut out the Mets for eight innings Tuesday], but we need to get going and springboard into the playoffs. This might be a blessing in disguise. It's a low point and we can only go up from here."

Manager Willie Randolph was perhaps the most relaxed guy in the room after the game. "This was an easy one to turn the page on," Randolph said. He insisted he "never wavers in my confidence" in this team and reminded one questioner, "We've played well. Best record in the National League. It's just a little down thing. It's just blah-blah-blah."

Then he delivered the line of the night, when talking about what he might discuss with his team on Wednesday. "I don't want to get all psychology major on you," he said with much mirth to the assembled media.