Cards top Brew crew despite record pay day

Associated Press

MILWAUKEE -- Jeff Suppan took a five-hitter into the ninth inning and the St. Louis Cardinals spoiled Ben Sheets' record payday with a 3-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night.

Sheets, a two-time All-Star, signed a $38.5 million, four-year contract with the Brewers before the game, the richest deal in team history.

Suppan (1-1) earned his third straight victory at Miller Park. He came in with a 7-2 career record in 11 appearances against the Brewers.

He allowed only two hits after the third, both to Brady Clark. Suppan struck out three and walked two in 8 1-3 innings.

Jason Isringhausen got the final two outs for his third save of the season.

Sheets had signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the team in February to avoid salary arbitration, but left open the option of a longer pact.

Sheets had back surgery in the offseason, and general manager Doug Melvin wanted to see how the right-hander performed in spring training before opening talks on a bigger deal.

Sheets (1-2) went 7 1-3 innings, allowing three runs, two earned, and five hits. He struck out seven and walked one. Sheets has not done well against St. Louis, going 4-8 with a 4.41 ERA in 15 career starts entering Friday's game. He was 1-3 in five starts against the Cardinals in 2004.

Albert Pujols hit his second home run of the season, a solo shot off Sheets in the fourth. It was the second homer allowed by Sheets this season.

The Brewers have not given Sheets any run support in his last two outings after providing nine in his opening day start in Pittsburgh.