The best pitched game of Johan Santana‘s Mets career? Most would naturally say the no-hitter on June 1, 2012 and you’d find little argument against it. But considering the circumstances, a case can be made for the penultimate day of the regular season 13 years ago — part of an emotional weekend with the playoffs at stake and Shea Stadium’s days numbered.

Facing elimination, manager Jerry Manuel was undecided on a starter to face the Florida Marlins. Santana, in his first year with the Mets, volunteered to take the ball despite being on three days rest and having thrown 125 pitches in his last outing.

“[Do] whatever you have to do,” he later said. “I’m all about winning and we’re trying to win every game, and if that’s the case and [you] want me to do it, I don’t have a problem with that.”

In a highly-charged atmosphere, Santana performed like the ace Mets fans had hoped for when they acquired him the previous winter from Minnesota — and then some. He threw 117 pitches, allowed three hits, and struck out nine. He never let the Marlins get on the scoreboard. Just as important, he never allowed the Mets’ beleaguered bullpen to factor in.

It was an outstanding, clutch performance made all the more impressive when it was revealed a few days later that Santana pitched with a torn meniscus in his left knee.

When the top of the ninth inning arrived with New York holding a 2-0 lead, Manuel continued to rely on his workhorse. Santana went out to the mound to the approval of 54,000-plus.

After getting the first out, Josh Willingham laced a double to left field. Santana retained his focus and struck out Dan Uggla on three pitches. Then Cody Ross lifted a fly ball to deep left field. But not deep enough as Endy Chavez hauled it in at the warning track.

Santana’s complete game was the exclamation point on a superb second half. From the All-Star break on, he posted a 2.17 ERA, a 1.096 WHIP, and won all eight of his decisions. None was more important than the shutout he delivered with the season on the line and his physical condition far from optimal.

“You don’t think about that,” he said. “This is not the beginning of the season. We’re talking about the end of the season, where we have a pretty good chance to make it special and go to the next round, and that’s what we’re here for.”

Despite what transpired the next day — a sour end to both the season and Shea — Santana’s gutsy effort still retains legendary status.