Ollie, Ollie, Ollie - Oy, oy, oy!

The one thing the Mets needed after a long flight to San Francisco was a solid start by Oliver Perez, who flew out early and was ostensibly well-rested. Instead, the guy lasted a third of an inning and allowed six runs. He has been absolutely awful at times this season and, like Hillary Clinton, can't be trusted.

Anyone thinking Perez was going to build on his success from last season, when he won 15 games, is fooling themselves. What words would you use to describe Perez? Immature. Inconsistent. Volatile. Unfocused. What words would you NEVER use to describe him? Poised. Mature. Steady. Bulldog.

So this guy, pitching with the pressure of New York and its expectations, coupled with him being in a walk year with Scott Boros telling him every other minute that has HAS to have a big year in order to really cash in -- you expected this guy to handle it and take his game up a notch? It's not happening. Perez is crumbling before our eyes and he shouldn't count on a spot in this rotation, not when Pedro is coming back (and, according to Pedro, El Duque isn't far behind) and Claudio Vargas has pitched so well.

Vargas threw 4 2/3 shutout innings in relief of Ollie and gave the Mets a chance, but the Mets offense blew it by stranding nine runners in the first five innings. When Muniz allowed four runs, that was that.

Jose Reyes extended his hitting streak to 18 games and tied a club record for reaching base in 33 straight games.

So, Pedro goes tonight against Barry Zito. Not a must-win game, but close.

And oh, by the way, Moises Alou says he would have caught that Bartman ball after all.