(Sports Network) - The New York Mets' lackluster play has once again put manager Willie Randolph on the hot seat. Tonight, they turn to their most inconsistent starter to turn things around, as left-hander Oliver Perez welcomes the Texas Rangers to Shea Stadium for the start of three-game interleague affair.

The Mets wasted an outstanding effort from starter Johan Santana on Thursday, as the bullpen blew a four-run lead in Arizona's 5-4, 10-inning victory.

After Santana struck out 10 over seven scoreless innings, the Mets handed the ball to Joe Smith, who gave up two runs in the eighth. Billy Wagner then blew his third straight save opportunity and second in as many games, giving up a pair of runs in the ninth.

New York actually had a chance to win it in its half of the ninth, but two terrific defensive plays from the left-side of the D'Backs infield forced extra innings.

Aaron Heilman (0-3) then completed the miserable effort from the bullpen, serving up the winning run in the 10th.

Fernando Tatis had a pair of RBI in the loss, while Ramon Castro hit a solo home run and scored twice for the Mets, who have dropped six of their last seven games.

So, the Mets turn tonight to Perez, who is winless in his last four starts. Perez had a far better outing his last time out in San Diego than his six-run, one-third of an inning stint two starts ago in San Francisco, as he allowed a run and four hits in 5 1/3 innings. However, he did not factor in the decision of his team's 2-1 loss.

Perez, who is 4-4 with a 5.37 ERA on the season, received a no-decision in his only other start against the Rangers, but was hit for six runs and three hits - all home runs - and struck out 12 that day.

Texas will counter with 25-year-old righty Scott Feldman, who is 1-2 with a 4.31 ERA. Feldman did not get a decision his last time out on Saturday against Tampa Bay, as he surrendered a pair of runs and five hits in seven innings of his team's 5-4 loss.

Feldman has never faced the Mets.

Texas enters this series with wins in three of its last four games. However, the Rangers' lone loss over that span came on Thursday when it was denied a sweep in their three-game series with Kansas City, falling 6-5 to the Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

German Duran hit a three-run homer while Ian Kinsler added a solo shot for Texas, which gave up two runs in the eighth to seal the defeat. Frank Francisco (1-2) suffered the loss, serving up two runs and two hits in his one inning of work.

New York took two of three from the Rangers back in 2003.

The Mets are 93-90 all-time in interleague play, while the Rangers have posted a 95-102 mark against the Senior Circuit.