Currently: - Game info: 8:05 pm EDT Wed Apr 20, 2005
- TV: FSSW
The Milwaukee Brewers gave Ben Sheets the richest contract in team history. Now, he’d just like to get some help from his offense.
The Brewers look to give Sheets some run support and snap their five-game losing streak as they open a two-game series with the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.
Sheets signed a $38.5 million, four-year contract Friday before allowing three runs, two earned, and five hits in 7 1-3 innings of a 3-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. The two-time All-Star, Milwaukee’s opening day starter, has lost his last two starts, but has not received any run support in the defeats.
Sheets, who had back surgery in the offseason, got just 19 runs of support in his 14 losses last season, including one run or fewer in 10 outings.
“Coincidence? I don’t know.” Milwaukee catcher Chad Moeller said. “It seems to happen. He threw an excellent game but we didn’t help our pitcher.”
Sheets, who allowed a homer to Albert Pujols, made two throwing errors. He has just seven errors in his career.
“That was uncharacteristic of Benny,” manager Ned Yost said. “He’s normally a pretty good fielder. Those balls just got away from him.”
Sheets will face Houston’s opening day starter, Roy Oswalt. Oswalt won his second straight start Friday, allowing two earned runs and five hits in seven innings of an 11-2 victory against Cincinnati.
Both of Oswalt’s wins have come against the Reds, against whom he is 13-0 for his career.
The Astros beat the Atlanta Braves 5-3 on Tuesday, snapping a three-game losing streak. Willy Taveras hit his first major league homer, and Adam Everett and Jeff Bagwell each had RBI doubles.
The Brewers lost 8-6 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 10 innings Tuesday. Chris Magruder homered for Milwaukee, which scored six runs in the fourth inning, but squandered the early lead.
“We have a tough game tomorrow,” Yost said. “These games hurt, but you can’t wallow in pity for long.”
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