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Sheets returns to right ship for Brewers

Aug 30, 2007 - 4:24 AM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Ben Sheets returned just in time for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Sheets worked six impressive innings in his first appearance in more than a month and Corey Hart collected three hits and an RBI as the Brewers halted a five-game skid with a 6-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.

Rookie of the Year candidate Ryan Braun and Geoff Jenkins drove in two runs apiece for Milwaukee (66-66), which drew within 1 1/2 games of Chicago (67-64) for first place in the National League Central Division.

"The thing we needed to do was go out and win a baseball game," Brewers manager Ned Yost said. "As bad as things have gotten, we are just trying to stay steady with our mind set. Things might look like we are sinking, but our guys are pushing the water out of the boat."

Sidelined since July 14 with a sprained middle finger on his right hand, Sheets (11-4) was activated from the disabled list earlier in the day. The righthander showed no ill effects, limiting the Cubs to one run and six hits while walking one and striking out two.

"I have wanted to be a part of this team, but the injury wouldn't let me," Sheets said. "Today, it was time for me to come back. I felt good, the offense did their thing. It was a huge win for us."

Chicago scored its only run against Sheets in the third. Counterpart Carlos Zambrano led off the inning with an infield single and Alfonso Soriano followed with a base hit.

After Ryan Theriot popped out on a bunt attempt, Derrek Lee singled to load the bases. Aramis Ramirez lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, plating Zambrano with the game's first run.

The Brewers took over from there, tying the game in the fourth on a two-out, RBI triple by Hart and moving ahead an inning later on a run-scoring double by Gabe Gross with two outs.

Milwaukee broke open the game in the seventh against Zambrano (14-11). Rickie Weeks ignited the four-run uprising with a one-out single and Gross followed with a grounder to second baseman Mark DeRosa.

Attempting to get the out at second, DeRosa tossed the ball to Theriot, who muffed it for an error. Prince Fielder loaded the bases with a single and Braun doubled down the left field line, scoring two for a 4-1 advantage.

"Those are situations where you want to come through," Braun said. "I was looking for a pitch to hit and got one up in the zone."

Scott Eyre came on for Zambrano and yielded a two-run single to right by Jenkins, increasing Milwaukee's lead to 6-1.

"That was an inning where everybody contributed," Braun said. "We all had good at-bats, which allowed us to get those runs right there."

Zambrano surrendered six runs - five earned - and nine hits in 6 1/3 innings. The righthander - who walked one and struck out six - is winless since July 29, going 0-4 in his last five starts.

"Everyone will see the real Zambrano soon," the Cubs' ace said. "This has been just an OK season for me so far. I look forward to pitching well in September and into the playoffs."

Jacque Jones went 2-for-3 for the Cubs, who have lost four of their last six games.

"You have to put five or six runs on the board consistently if you want to win up here," Chicago manager Lou Piniella said. "In three of our last four losses, we have scored a total of one run. That will not get it done, period."