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Sheets looks to continue strong return vs. Reds

Sep 9, 2007 - 1:20 PM Milwaukee (72-69) at Cincinnati (64-78) 1:15 pm EDT

CINCINNATI (Ticker) - With their ace on the mound, the Milwaukee Brewers face the Cincinnati Reds in the rubber game of a three-game series Sunday.

The Brewers won for the seventh time in 10 games Saturday, rallying for a 4-3 win. Rickie Weeks tripled in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning.

Milwaukee is tied with the Chicago Cubs (72-69) for first place in the National League Central.

Ben Sheets (11-4, 3.36 ERA), who was on the disabled list from July 14-August 29, takes the mound for the Brewers. In that time, the Brewers went from holding a 3 1/2-game division lead to trailing by 1 1/2 games, due in large part to a 16-26 record.

The righthander has been stellar since his return, going 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA, including a no-decision in his latest start on Monday. He permitted three runs and five hits over six frames - but walked six - in a 9-7 loss against Houston.

Sheets has been outstanding against the Reds in 13 career starts, going 6-3 with a 2.36 ERA.

He may draw a break as rookie Phil Dumatrait (0-3, 13.00) will be his counterpart on the mound. The lefthander is still searching for his first major league win after surrendering five runs and seven hits over 4 2/3 innings in an 11-3 loss against St. Louis on September 1.

This will be his first career appearance against Milwaukee.