(Johan) Santana not upset with lack of wins for Mets

The routine has become all too familiar for Johan Santana. Walk off the mound to a standing ovation at Shea, then stand at your locker an hour or so later, with that same empty feeling in your stomach, trying to explain how it all went wrong—again.

Santana, who was charged with two runs in seven-plus innings Thursday, left with a 3-1 lead in the eighth, only to watch the bullpen sabotage him. It was the sixth time in 24 starts that the Mets’ relievers have failed Santana, and five of those have come in the ninth inning. Santana is 2-0 with a 1.55 ERA in his last four starts at Shea.

“Today we won the game and that’s the most important thing,” said Santana, who remained at 9-7 with the no-decision. “I don’t blame it on anybody. I don’t feel sorry about things that didn’t happen. It’s reality. That’s the way it goes.”

Johan was 7-3 with a 3.20 ERA over 81.2 IP in his first 12 starts. He is 2-4 in his last 12 despite a 2.50 ERA over 79.1 IP.