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Brewers seek sweep of Cardinals

Jul 24, 2008 - 11:13 AM Milwaukee (58-43) at St. Louis (57-46) 8:15 p.m. EDT

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- The Milwaukee Brewerss and Ben Sheets will look to put the finishing touch on a four-game sweep of a critical National League Central series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday.

The righthander follows a brilliant performance Wednesday by co-ace CC Sabathia, who pitched his third straight complete game, the 22nd of his career. The lefty shut out St. Louis, scattering three hits and two walks, striking out seven in a 3-0 win.

Sheets (10-3, 2.88) is having a career year for the upstart Brewers, but will look to conquer a team that has been a thorn. The All-Star is 5-14 with a 4.28 ERA in 24 starts against the Cardinals. The 263 win-loss percentage is his lowest against any team he has started at least two games against.

Milwaukee stands one game behind the Chicago Cubs, with the Cardinals three back of the division leaders.

Todd Wellemeyer (8-4, 4.22) will look to salvage the finale for the Cardinals, who entered the four-game set off a three-game sweep of the San Diego Padres. St. Louis will try to avoid losing four straight for the first time this season.

The Cardinals snapped a five-game losing streak in games Wellemeyer started with a 6-5 win against the Padres on Saturday. The righthander surrendered five run on five hits and three walks, going 6 1/3 innings for the win.

Albert Pujols has been held in check over the first three games, going 2-for-12 without driving in a run. The slugger is hitting .394 off Sheets, smacking four home runs in 66 at-bats.