SAN DIEGO – Mike Cameron and Carlos Beltran sprinted toward the sinking liner, both outfielders watching the ball and diving toward the same spot. They didn’t see each other and smashed face-to-face in what many of their teammates said was one of the scariest collisions they’ve ever seen. The Mets who ran to the fallen pair during the seventh inning of the 2-1 loss to the San Diego Padres yesterday said Cameron was dazed and bleeding from the mouth.

Cameron was taken off the field on a stretcher, his body immobilized and his neck in a brace. He was taken to Mercy Hospital, where he underwent two CT scans. Cameron broke his nose, had multiple fractures of both cheekbones, and a slight concussion, and was to be hospitalized overnight, Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz said. Cameron was placed on the disabled list.

Beltran had a sore left shoulder and a cut near his left temple. He was taken to Scripps Clinic where he was to remain overnight for evaluation and tests, Horwitz said late yesterday.

“I don’t remember anything of what happened,” Beltran said. “I don’t remember how it happened, I know we got hit. I feel like I got hit by a train.”

Beltran said he felt lucky.

“Of course, after a collision like that, I feel good that I’m okay. My shoulder feels sore, but I’ll be fine.”

Cameron was fully extended diving for David Ross’s liner when he and Beltran collided, falling into a heap. The game was delayed for about 13 minutes as the players were tended to by trainers from both teams, then paramedics. Cameron lifted up his head at one point, and shielded his eyes from the sun as he was put onto a stretcher by paramedics, lifted onto a cart, and driven off the field.

Beltran got up after a few minutes after the collision and eventually walked off the field on his own power.

First baseman Marlon Anderson was the first player to reach the fallen outfielders.

Cameron “was dazed, kind of not really there,” Anderson said. “I was like, ‘Cam, can you hear me?’ He mumbled, ‘Yeah,’ but he wasn’t there. You could tell he wasn’t right.”

Neither Cameron nor Beltran caught the ball, which went for a triple. Shortstop Chris Woodward sprinted out to get the ball and throw it into the infield. When play resumed, with the game tied at 1, Eric Young grounded out to second with the infield playing in, before Joe Randa singled to center to bring in Ross with the winning run.

“There’s always things that happen from time to time that put baseball into perspective for everybody, and this is certainly one of those instances,” said starter Tom Glavine.

Floyd was hit on the left knee with a fastball from Akinori Otsuka in the eighth. He sprawled on the ground for a few minutes, then needed a few more to shake it off before limping to first.

Trevor Hoffman pitched the ninth for his 30th save in 32 chances and the 423rd of his career, leaving him one shy of tying John Franco for second on the all-time list. This is his 10th season with at least 30 saves, tying Lee Smith’s big league record.

Glavine (8-10) lost for the seventh time in nine road decisions this season. He also went seven innings, allowing two runs and nine hits, struck out three, and walked none. He also had three hits, matching his career high.

Floyd hit an RBI double in the fourth and San Diego’s Khalil Greene hit an RBI single in the bottom of the inning.