PORT ST. LUCIE — News and notes after Oliver Perez became the latest Mets starter to stumble in Grapefruit League play as Jerry Manuel‘s club fell 10-6 at home to the Tigers today: * Perez looked like the same struggling pitcher he was for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, giving up six earned runs and an astounding six walks in just 3 2/3 innings. Perez struck out four but allowed 11 of the 22 batters he faced to reach base, including a three-run homer in the fourth inning to Placido Polanco. Ouch. The letdown came just five days after Ollie threw three innings of scoreless, one-hit ball against the Orioles in Fort Lauderdale.

* Manuel at least had the luxury of a lineup that will somewhat resemble the Mets will send out on Opening Day. Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado and Brian Schneider (knee injury) were back, with Beltran going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Schneider added a two-out, two run single.

* Fernando Tatis remains red hot, hitting his fourth double of the spring as part of a 3-for-3 day. Oh, and Jeremy Reed went 2-for-2 to raise his spring average to .423. Put that man down for a roster spot …

* Brian Stokes helped his case for a long-relief role, pitching two scoreless innings while striking out two. The news wasn’t nearly so good for lefty hopeful Ron Villone, who further torpedoed his chances by giving up four runs on four hits and a walk in just one inning of work.

* The Mets continue Grapefruit League play tomorrow afternoon in Jupiter, Fla., against the Cardinals. John Maine is getting the start as he tries to right the ship after three dreadful outings in a row.

More details in tomorrow’s print and online editions of The Post …