Sheets Lifts Brewers With Arm and Bat

MILWAUKEE — Even after two bloop run-scoring singles, Ben Sheets isn’t a big fan of the batter’s box.

“I still don’t like to hit,” said Sheets, a career .111 batter. “I don’t mind standing on first base. But that’s probably my least favorite part of the game. I enjoy what I do on the mound first and foremost and even tonight, with two hits, I still like what happened on the mound.”

Sheets pitched a seven-hitter for his second career complete game and the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Houston Astros, 7-1, Tuesday night.

Sheets (4-7) walked three and struck out seven in his first complete game since May 29, 2001, at St. Louis.

The Brewers took some time to figure out right-hander Kirk Saarloos, who lost his major league debut. Saarloos didn’t give up a hit until the fourth, when Tyler Houston led off with his fifth homer for a 1-0 lead.

But in the fifth, Saarloos gave up five runs and four hits, including one of Sheets’ singles.

Sheets’ bloop single to left-center scored Alex Ochoa from third base and made it 2-0. Houston added a sacrifice fly and Richie Sexson an RBI single before Nelson Cruz came in and gave up a two-run triple to Ryan Thompson.