With two outs and a runner on second in the seventh, Jorge Cantu hit a shot that appeared to be headed over Chavez’s head until he raced back and reached up to make a difficult catch on the run.

When he made the grab, Chavez was only steps from the spot where he leaped above the fence for an incredible catch that saved the Mets — momentarily — in Game 7 of the NL championship series against St. Louis.

The Cardinals wound up winning anyway, and the Mets have flopped over and over again in big games since.

“We haven’t been able to put it together, for whatever reason,” Delgado said. “We were a playoff-caliber ballclub that didn’t get it done.”

Revved up fans were lined up outside the gates three hours before the scheduled first pitch, hoping to celebrate Shea Stadium’s regular-season finale in style.

After the start was delayed 51 minutes by rain, Perez took a two-hit shutout into the sixth. But he gave up a leadoff double to Cameron Maybin on a 1-2 pitch and a soft RBI single to John Baker.

Perez was pulled with the bases loaded and one out for Joe Smith, who walked Josh Willingham to force in a run. Smith, a submarine specialist, escaped further damage.

“This team I thought did an unbelievable job getting us to today,” said Minaya, reflecting on the injuries and choosing to stay positive. “I think what went wrong — we’re a streaky offensive team.”

Notes: All-Star SS Hanley Ramirez was out of Florida’s starting lineup with a stiff left shoulder. ... Brian Gorman was the first base umpire. His father, Tom, worked the plate during the first game at Shea Stadium on April 17, 1964. ... The Mets will move into their new ballpark, Citi Field, next April.

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