NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES : New York vs. Houston : National League Playoffs Notebook : Mets Admit They’re Glad to Get Off Scott-Free

Had it been put to a vote, the Mets probably would have preferred a return trip to Cooter’s, where four New York players were arrested earlier this summer, than a return engagement with Mike Scott, the Houston pitcher who put the cuffs on them in two previous starts.

“I’ll be able to sleep tonight,” said Wally Backman, freed from the fear of facing the Astro right-hander, who had two complete-game victories and would have pitched Game 7 tonight.

“It was like a major-league pitcher going against high school kids at times,” he added.

Scott was voted most valuable player of the National League playoffs.

“I guess it’s kind of bittersweet,” he said. “I guess I’ll enjoy it more in a couple of years or a couple of months. It’s hard to celebrate right now.”

Met pitcher Jesse Orosco won three games in the series, including the last two. Rick Aguilera (three innings) and Roger McDowell (five, the longest outing of his career), combined to shut out the Astros on two hits until Orosco took over in the 14th.

The Met bullpen had not allowed an earned run in 18 innings until Billy Hatcher homered off Orosco in the 14th.

Astro relievers were credited with losses in three of the four games. Dave Smith, who gave up Lenny Dykstra’s game-winning home run in Game 3 Saturday, lost once and also couldn’t hold the Astros’ 3-0 lead Wednesday.

“There was a lot of pressure on him, no question about it,” Backman said of Smith, who walked three batters (one intentionally) in the ninth. “He lost a little of his control and maybe a little of his composure. It can happen to anyone.”

Charlie Kerfeld pitched three innings Tuesday and said he couldn’t have pitched Wednesday.

Houston Manager Hal Lanier chose not to use rookie left-hander Jim Deshaies in relief, saying Deshaies had not faced that kind of pressure before. But bullpen coach Gene Tenace apparently told Lanier that Deshaies didn’t have good stuff while warming up. Lanier chose to use Larry Andersen (three shutout innings), Aurelio Lopez (who gave up five hits and three runs in two innings and took the loss) and Jeff Calhoun.