Table: Oliver Perez's numbers since being traded to the Mets. MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT Tuesday's results INDIANAPOLIS (51-51) lost at Columbus, 5-2. RHP Marty McLeary (4-3, 3.81) allowed two runs and four hits in six innings. RHP Josh Sharpless (3.94) allowed three runs in two innings. SS Brian Bixler (.290) went 1 for 3 with two walks. ALTOONA (52-48) beat Binghamton, 7-2. RHP Luis Munoz (10-4, 3.49) allowed two runs in six innings. LHP Dave Davidson (4.73) pitched three scoreless innings of relief. 1B Steve Pearce (.331) went 2 for 4 with two doubles, four RBIs and a walk. 3B Neil Walker (.295) went 2 for 4 with a walk and an RBI. CF Andrew McCutchen (.246) went 1 for 4 with an RBI. LYNCHBURG (43-54) won at Winston-Salem, 2-0, in a rain-shortened game. RHP Jose Diaz (1-0, 0.00) pitched all six innings for the shutout, allowing four hits and striking out seven. 2B Shelby Ford (.284) went 1 for 3. HICKORY (48-52) beat Hagerstown, 7-4, for its eighth consecutive victory. RHP Matt McSwain (1-0, 5.48) allowed two runs in four innings. CF Alex Presley (.292) hit his seventh home run and went 2 for 5 with a double and three RBIs. STATE COLLEGE (16-16) and Aberdeen were postponed by rain. BRADENTON (13-16) lost to the Orioles, 5-3. RHP Carlos Amaro (1-1, 3.96) allowed five runs, three earned, in six innings. LF Joe Munoz (.172) went 2 for 3 with a double, triple and walk.

NEW YORK -- Oliver Perez, who will face his old team tomorrow for the first time since the Pirates peddled him away, has heard the three-step theory:

1. Poorly performing player leaves Pittsburgh.

2. Player finds enlightenment.

3. Player becomes good.

But he does not buy it, at least in his case.

Asked yesterday in the New York clubhouse if he would be pitching as well for the Pirates as he is for the first-place Mets this season -- 9-6 record, 3.00 ERA, 99 strikeouts in 108 innings -- he replied quickly and emphatically, "Yes, for sure. I'm sure of that. You see a lot of players in the majors who have a bad year, then a good one."

He then pointed back to his career year with the Pirates: "I pitched well in 2004, and I was in Pittsburgh. I could do it again."

So, what was it that transformed him? At this time a year ago, the Pirates demoted him to Class AAA Indianapolis after he went 2-10 with a 6.63 ERA. On July 31, he and reliever Roberto Hernandez were dealt to the Mets for outfielder Xavier Nady.

"I was just thinking too much those last two years in Pittsburgh," Perez replied. "I was putting too much pressure on myself. Then, they sent me down ... and traded me. It was not easy."

He paused.

"But I came here, and there were a lot of guys with experience, guys who have been in my situation. They just told me to believe in myself. Just play baseball. Enjoy it. And that's what I did. I feel now how I did in 2004."

Right. But, again, he was asked, how did his pitching improve? Some have credited New York's highly reputed pitching coach, Rick Peterson, for harnessing Perez's mechanics and creating a fresh level of consistency.

Perez shrugged that off, too.

"It's not something he told me about mechanics. He just told me to believe in myself, to believe in every pitch, and everything would be OK."

And the velocity that has made a lively comeback?

"I just feel more comfortable, so I'm throwing harder. But it's still not about that. It's about the pitches that I'm making. I'm locating the fastball and changing speeds. I feel like a pitcher right now. I'm not just throwing."

This much is clear as can be: Perez is eager for tomorrow.

"It's great to see my old teammates, and it will be fun to pitch against them."

Jays deny Wilson interest

Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi told the Canadian Press the Blue Jays are not trying to trade for Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson.

"We have absolutely no interest in Jack Wilson," Ricciardi said. "None."

What Ricciardi did not make clear was if that meant the Blue Jays are not pushing for Wilson now or, as previously divulged, that they plan to pursue him in the offseason.

Ricciardi reiterated that his plan is to keep intact his current group, which remains in the American League playoff hunt. That group includes shortstop Royce Clayton, 37, who Ricciardi might not want to have distracted for the rest of the season by hearing about Wilson.

"I like our team," Ricciardi said. "I feel strongly about it."

Tracy: Kata earned it

Matt Kata was at third base for a fourth consecutive game last night, this after Pirates manager Jim Tracy had said early last week that, in Jose Bautista's absence, Jose Castillo would fill that void.

"It's not about any type of punishment, and it doesn't have anything to do with Jose Castillo," Tracy said before the game. "We put Matt Kata out there on Friday, and he had a hit, then he had a couple more and a couple more ... when you're desperately searching for offense, how can you justify not playing him?"

Buried treasure

Injured starter Zach Duke, who began long-tossing Monday in Bradenton, Fla., will stay with that program for about two weeks.

Center fielder Chris Duffy, rehabilitating a sprained ankle, has begun light, straight-ahead running, but he still is not feeling strength or stability in it.

Bautista will have the stitches removed from his cut left today, but there is no timetable for him to begin swinging a bat.

Utilityman Don Kelly cleared waivers and will join Indianapolis today.