CHICAGO (AP) – Ryan Dempster and Ronny Cedeno each committed a costly run-scoring error for Chicago and the Milwaukee Brewers scored four unearned runs in the ninth to beat the Cubs 8-5 Tuesday night.

The Cubs have lost nine straight at Wrigley Field, and 12 of 14 overall to fall a season-high 20 games under .500.

Dempster entered the ninth with a 5-4 lead. Corey Koskie ricocheted a hit off Dempster’s left arm and Damian Miller walked with no outs. Dempster then fielded Gabe Gross’ sacrifice bunt and tried to get the lead runner at third. His throw sailed into left field, allowing Koskie to score to tie it.

Corey Hart then hit a hard grounder through Cedeno’s legs at shortstop and Miller came around to score. Rickie Weeks hit a sacrifice fly and Bill Hall singled before Dempster (1-4) was taken out of the game. He has converted just four of his last eight save opportunities.

Geoff Jenkins’ sacrifice fly off Scott Eyre scored Hart to make it 8-5.

Derrick Turnbow pitched the ninth for his 22nd save in 26 chances.

The Brewers led 3-0 and 4-3 but the Cubs rallied to tie it twice. Todd Walker’s pinch-hit RBI single in the eighth gave the Cubs the lead.

Aramis Ramirez hit a solo homer off Jose Capellan to lead off the bottom of the eighth and tie it at 4. Phil Nevin walked and was replaced by Matt Murton. Cedeno moved Murton to second with a sacrifice bunt and Capellan intentionally walked Jacque Jones, who hit an RBI double in the sixth to tie it at 3.

Capellan got Henry Blanco to fly out to center before being replaced by Brian Shouse (1-0). Walker then singled past Koskie at third to drive in Murton.

Carlos Zambrano got a no-decision, giving up four runs and six hits with two walks in eight innings. He struck out eight. He also hit a two-run homer for the Cubs, his second.

Chicago has lost five straight.

Carlos Lee hit his 25th homer in the fourth for the Brewers.

Milwaukee took a 1-0 lead in third after Cedeno missed a tag on Gross during a rundown between second and third. The Cubs argued the call with third base umpire Jim Joyce, who said Cedeno’s chest-high swipe missed Gross, who stayed at third. Gross then scored on Hall’s RBI groundout.

Notes: With 1B Derrek Lee back in the lineup, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry reiterated his support for embattled manager Dusty Baker for the second time in two months on Tuesday, saying, “I want to give Dusty every opportunity to manage the club and help get us out of this hole when we get healthier.” … The Cubs optioned INF Tony Womack and RHP David Aardsma to Triple-A Iowa, activating RHP Scott Williamson and recalling catcher Geovany Soto.

AP-ES-06-27-06 2324EDT