Dempster 'making good pitches' in ninth-inning flameout

Cubs radio broadcaster Ron Santo's hatred of all things New York -- especially the Mets -- is of legendary proportion.

But if things keep going like they have this season for Ryan Dempster when it comes to the Mets, Santo's going to have some company.

That's because the Cubs' closer, who blew a 5-1 ninth-inning lead to the Mets at Shea Stadium in mid-May, suffered yet another meltdown Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field when he came on in the ninth with the game tied at 2-2.

By the time the clowns were shoved back in the car, the Mets were rolling to a 6-2 victory and Dempster's record was dropping to 2-4.

"If I didn't face the Mets this year, I'd be having a heck of a year," Dempster deadpanned.

A little deja vu, perhaps?

"No, the last time I was walking guys and I was all over the place," he said. "This time I was making good pitches and they were hitting good pitches."

But it wasn't a good hit of a good pitch that got everything going in the ninth for New York. It was third baseman David Wright taking what looked like a good pitch for ball four that kick-started the rally.

"It was a strike, but that's the way it goes," Dempster said.

"I thought it was a good pitch, but stuff happens," said catcher Jason Kendall.

"I definitely wasn't perfect that inning," Dempster said. "It's tough because we battled back twice. It would've been a nice win. It (stinks), but we've battled through tougher stuff than this."

Manager Lou Piniella didn't have to be reminded of Dempster's debacle in New York a few months ago -- but was anyway during his postgame meeting with the media.

"I remember that," Piniella barked. "I am aware of that."

But it didn't stop him from inserting Dempster in the ninth inning of a tie game Friday.

"You use your closer in the ninth inning at home," he said.

When the inning finally came to a close, the remnants of yet another sellout crowd at Wrigley really let Dempster have it.

"That's the tough part of being a player on this side. The fans just want to scream and yell and be upset, but sometimes you've got to tip your cap to the guys on the other side," he said. "That's the way it goes, though. We're expected to win."

While Dempster was semi-understanding of the vitriol sent his way, a couple of his teammates -- Derrek Lee and Cliff Floyd -- certainly weren't.

"It (booing) really makes no sense," Lee said. "Dempster has been as good as anyone on our team. You can't be perfect. That wasn't right."

Added Floyd: "You can't blame one guy. Blame the whole team. He's going to get us to the promised land ... if we're going to get there."