Wagner returned to New York Sunday to be re-examined.

Wagner doubts he can throw in back-to-back games, let alone in three straight games.

Wagner said he's able to throw hard, and while his ability to finish pitches is better, it's still not there.

"I can play catch," Wagner said. "When I try to amp it up and go full bore it is OK for awhile."

METS 4, PIRATES 0: The surging Mets won their sixth straight game Sunday, beating the Pirates behind the strong pitching of Johan Santana and hitting of catcher Brian Schneider.

Santana gave up three hits in throwing his second complete game of the season, and Schneider drove in three runs with a two-run homer in the second and RBI-singled in the fourth.

Carlos Beltran also homered.

Santana, with eight no-decisions, could be approaching 20 victories with a little run and bullpen support.

The bullpen has coughed up the lead on six of Santana's starts, but not Sunday.

INSIDE EDGE: Manager Jerry Manuel said he doesn't feel comfortable giving the ball to rookie reliever Eddie Kunz with the game on the line. That feeling was justified after Kunz gave up three runs Saturday night when put in the game in a mop-up role.