Cards figure out Sheets in finale

The Cardinals won the finale of their series Sunday, breaking even at 1-1 on the 2-game series, handing Ben Sheets his second loss of the season. The loss puts the Brewers, Cardinals, and Reds in a 3-way tie for first in the loss column. The Brewers got on the board first, plating what would turn out to be their only runs of the day, as Weeks continued his hot streak with a leadoff double, advancing to third on a J.J. Hardy groundout. In a case of déjà vu all over again, Fielder then doubled, moving to third on a Bill Hall ground out. Johnny Estrada came through with a clutch RBI single, plating Fielder. But the Cards got to Sheets early and often, as Albert Pujols broke out of his slump in the first, hitting his 2nd homer of the season, with 2 runners aboard, to give the Cardinals an early 3-2 lead. The Redbirds also plated a solo run in the 4th, and another in the 5th, and tagging Sheets for two more earned runs before he left in the 6th–the 7 ER’s in 5 IP left Sheets’ ERA on the season at 5.85. The final tally was 10-2. Geoff Jenkins remains the only regular hitter above .300 at .351; but Prince Fielder (.295), J.J. Hardy (.293), and Johnny Estrada (.289) are within striking distance; Milwaukee’s .260 overall team batting average is now tied for 3rd best in the NL with the Cubs, trailing only the Marlins and Mets. The Crew’s 3.92 ERA is 12th. Onto Cincinnati, where Chris Capuano (1-0, 4.35) squares off against Eric Milton (0-1, 6.35) Monday night at 6:10 p.m. CT.