Sheets held the Braves to two runs in six innings of his last start for his first win of the season. He would have had a chance for his second straight double-digit strikeout game had the Brewers not faced a run-scoring opportunity in the bottom of the sixth that called for a pinch-hitter, but, nonetheless, it was another positive step for Sheets, who started the year on the disabled list with a muscle strain behind his shoulder.
In his last two starts, Sheets has looked like his old self again. He has worked 13 innings, surrendering four runs on 12 hits with just one walk and 19 strikeouts.
On Tuesday, his Brewers teammates will face a bit of an unknown. Houston right-hander Fernando Nieve has never pitched against Milwaukee, and will be making his third start and sixth appearance of the season.
The Brewers have outscored their opponents over three consecutive wins, 29-4, and have clubbed 12 home runs over that span, giving Milwaukee a total of 40 this season. Bill Hall has finished with three hits in three straight games and was one hit shy of the cycle in the last two contests.
Pitching matchup
MIL: RHP Ben Sheets (1-2, 4.00 ERA)
Sheets is holding left-handers to a .216 average and righties are hitting .313 off Milwaukee's ace.
HOU: RHP Fernando Nieve (0-0, 4.50 ERA)
Nieve has allowed four earned runs over two Major League starts and has never faced the Brewers.
Player to watch
Lance Berkman has given Sheets fits throughout his career. Berkman is a .341 lifetime hitter against the Brewers right-hander (14-for-41) with five doubles, three home runs and 10 RBIs. But Sheets has struck out Berkman 13 times.