For Mets, it’s back to cold reality

ATLANTA — We now return you to your regularly scheduled schlock.

Super Tuesday was everything the Mets could have wanted, with Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler dominating the Braves in a doubleheader sweep, but then came last night and an almost inevitable crash to earth.

Shaun Marcum disintegrated in the middle innings, sending the Mets to a 5-3 loss at Turner Field that reminded everyone it's still 2013 and this team has significant holes.

Marcum (0-9) became the first Mets pitcher to lose his first nine decisions in a season since Anthony Young started 0-13 in 1993. The only other pitcher in franchise history to lose as many as nine straight decisions to start a season was Bob Miller, who began 0-12 in 1962.

AP

NINE INCH NAILED: With last night's 5-3 loss to the Braves, Shaun Marcum is the first Mets pitcher since Anthony Young in 1993 to start a season with an 0-9 record.

"It seems like every mistake is getting hit," Marcum said after allowing five earned runs on six hits and four walks over 4 2/3 innings. "You can't locate your fastball, it makes it difficult to pitch."

With manager Terry Collins contemplating who should be bumped from his six-man rotation, Marcum has certainly emerged as a consideration. The right-hander followed a dud against the Cubs last Friday in which he surrendered six earned runs over 5 2/3 innings with last night's struggle.

"He's had some rough starts, but he's also pitched very well at times," Collins said. "When we came back in the game [in the fifth], I really thought he was going to give us some more innings."

After the Mets had scored three runs, two unearned, against Kris Medlen (4-7) in the fifth to make it 3-3, Marcum never escaped the bottom of the inning. Jordan Schafer scored from third on a wild pitch before B.J. Upton stroked an RBI double. Carlos Torres then replaced Marcum and pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Mets had tied the game with three runs in the fifth, using a Medlen throwing error as the catalyst for the inning. With runners on first and second, John Buck hit a comebacker, which Medlen threw away in his attempt to nail lead runner Marlon Byrd at third base. Byrd and Lucas Duda both scored on the play and Kirk Nieuwenhuis' ensuing RBI single made it 3-3.

Chris Johnson's three-run homer in the fourth against Marcum gave the Braves a 3-0 lead. Marcum allowed consecutive singles to Upton and Dan Uggla with two outs before Johnson cleared the left-field fence for his fourth homer this season.

Wheeler will rejoin the Mets soon enough — he is scheduled to hop a flight to Chicago on Monday and take the ball against the White Sox the following night — but until then Collins wants the rookie pitcher to remain diligent.

The right-hander was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas following his major league debut on Tuesday as a procedural move, giving the Mets added roster flexibility through the weekend. Wheeler, who fired six shutout innings against the Braves, had joined the team as a 26th man afforded by the fact the teams played a doubleheader.

Wheeler traveled to Tucson, Ariz., yesterday to join the Las Vegas team.

"One of the things I told him [Tuesday] night was, 'You've got to make sure you don't skip your work,' " Collins said. " 'You've to do what you have to do to make sure you're ready.' "

mpuma@nypost.com

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