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Delgado, Mets rally for wild ninth-inning win over Cubs

May 17, 2007 - 9:22 PM FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- For the second time in four days, Carlos Delgado capped a meltdown by the Chicago Cubs' bullpen.

Delgado ripped a single to plate the tying and winning runs as the Mets rallied for five runs in the bottom of the ninth inning Thursday for a thrilling 6-5 triumph over the Chicago Cubs.

The last time the Mets overcame a four-run deficit to win in the ninth inning was May 23, 1999 against Curt Schilling and the Philadelphia Phillies.

"Sometimes you're going to steal a win like this," Delgado said. "We've done it before and we don't quit."

It was the sixth victory in the last eight games for New York, which won three of four games in this series. Thursday's win was eerily similar to Monday's series opener, when Delgado walked with the bases loaded to push home the winning run, the last of three straight walks issued by Michael Wuertz.

Three days later, the lefthanded Delgado was one of the few regulars in the starting lineup as Mets manager Willie Randolph opted to sit most of his stars with a three-game weekend series against the New York Yankees looming.

"I told Willie I had a few days off last week and I was ready to play," Delgado said.

Wednesday night's contest was delayed nearly three hours by rain, which also forced Randolph to rest his regulars.

The decision looked as if it would backfire as the Mets managed just one run against Cubs starter Angel Guzman and two relievers over the first eight innings. But the Mets rallied in the ninth, scoring five runs off closer Ryan Dempster (1-2) to prolong the overall shortcomings of Chicago's bullpen.

"I just lost the game. I don't know what else to say," Dempster said. "It's tough when you can't get ahead of the guys and put it away. I put some guys in tough situations, and (my teammates) had to clean up my garbage."

With New York trailing, 5-1, David Newhan, who started at second base, led off with a single before Ramon Castro lined out to right field. That was the last out recorded by Dempster, who yielded a single to rookie Carlos Gomez and walked pinch-hitter Carlos Beltran to load the bases.

The Mets drew within 5-2 when Endy Chavez drew a bases-loaded walk. Ruben Gotay followed with a sharp single to left field, plating another run.

"You get a chance to hit like that, it gives you confidence," Gotay said. "It feels pretty good right now."

Cubs manager Lou Piniella lifted the righthanded Dempster for lefthander Scott Eyre. It was a futile change, however, as David Wright laced an RBI single to center field in his first career pinch at-bat to make it 5-4.

"You never expect to get a four or five spot against a quality closer," Wright said. "We just tried to keep the line moving."

That set the stage for Delgado, who entered the contest with a .217 average and just 19 RBI in 36 games this season.

The lefthanded slugger drove home two decisive runs in his final at-bat Thursday, slicing a grounder just past second baseman Ryan Theriot to plate Chavez and Gotay, igniting a spirited celebration at Shea Stadium and leaving Piniella with another frustrating loss.

"These guys got to do it. I don't know what else to say," Piniella said. "You've got a four-run lead. Throw the ball."

Righthander Ambiorix Burgos (1-0) was the beneficiary of the Mets' ninth-inning magic, recording his first win with the team with two perfect relief frames.

The Cubs wasted a tremendous outing from Guzman, who allowed one run, six hits and two walks with four strikeouts in five innings. Making his third start since being recalled from the minors, Guzman left with hamstring cramps.

Chicago's bullpen has struggled mightily of late, including in Monday's series opener when the Cubs squandered a 4-0 lead.

Wuertz replaced Guzman on Thursday and recorded four outs before Will Ohman retired all five batters he faced, striking out four. But the efforts were wasted by Dempster, whose ERA ballooned to 4.66.

"Wuertz came in and did a nice job. Ohman came in and did a nice job," Piniella said. "I hand it to the closer. I told him the last outing in Philly it was the best outing he had all year."

Angel Pagan and Aramis Ramirez hit two-run homers in a four-run sixth for the Cubs, who completed a 2-5 road trip. Both homers came off Mets starter Jason Vargas, who was called up from the minors prior to the game.

Theriot singled with one out in the sixth and Pagan belted his second homer of the season to left field. Alfonso Soriano singled and Ramirez followed with his 10th homer to give the Cubs a 5-1 cushion.

Ramirez, who drove in three runs, hit a grand slam to highlight Tuesday's 10-1 win.

Vargas was called up to replace Mike Pelfrey, the rookie fifth starter who was demoted to Class AAA New Orleans after losing his first five decisions. The lefthander lasted seven innings and was charged with five runs and six hits.

"I just tried to take it as another start and not get too high or low," Vargas said.

Vargas retired the first 10 batters before Pagan singled in the fourth and scored on a two-out single by Ramirez off the wall in left field.