(My Sportsbook) - Erratic southpaw Oliver Perez returns to the mound for the first time since April 21 today when the New York Mets wind up a three- game series with the visiting Washington Nationals at Citi Field.

Re-signed to a lucrative three-year contract in the offseason, Perez began this year by allowing five hits and eight runs in an ugly 8-6 loss at Cincinnati on April 9.

He bounced back and pitched well - giving up three runs and a hit in six innings - while defeating San Diego on April 15, but was tagged again by St. Louis in his last start, getting a no-decision in a 6-4 loss to the Cardinals that was part of a three-game sweep at Busch Stadium.

Perez was 1-1 with a no-decision against Washington in 2008, allowing 20 hits and 15 runs in 15 2/3 innings and permitting an opposition batting average of .313.

For the Nationals, precocious right-hander Jordan Zimmerman makes the second start of his brief big-league career.

Just 22, the Auburndale, Wisconsin native officially came up from Syracuse of the International League when his contract was purchased along with the deal of veteran hurler Kip Wells.

He debuted against Atlanta on April 20 and was impressive, giving up six hits and two runs in six innings of a 3-2 triumph.

Zimmerman threw just 72 pitches, struck out three and walked one.

On Saturday, Carlos Beltran continued his scorching start with three hits and Ryan Church drove in three runs, as the Mets took advantage of some poor Washington defense to earn an 8-2 win.

Beltran drove in a run and scored twice for the Mets, who have won two in a row after dropping four straight. The New York center fielder is 16-for-32 during an eight-game hitting streak and leads the National League with a .415 batting average.

Mike Pelfrey (2-0) made a winning return to the rotation after his turn was skipped last Sunday because of forearm tendinitis. He gave up two runs on six hits with three walks and one strikeout in 5 2/3 innings.

Daniel Cabrera (0-2) took the loss for the Nationals, who committed three errors and lost their third straight game. He was charged with five runs -- one earned -- on six hits and four walks in 2 1/3 innings.

Elijah Dukes had two hits with a pair of runs batted in for Washington, but his misplay in the first inning opened the floodgates for three quick New York runs.

New York won 12 of its 18 matchups with the Nationals last season, including six of the nine games contested in Flushing.