Short Sheeted Friday Night

A ninth-inning rally couldn't overcome the big hole the Brewers dug for themselves earlier, as the Reds bested the Brews, 6-5, Friday evening. The Cubs won, increasing their lead to 1½ games in the NL Central. Ben Sheets gave up a pair of runs in the first...then another pair on an Adam Dunn homer, to give the Reds an early 4-0 lead. The Reds' added another run in the 2nd...Sheets and Estrada allowed 5 stolen bases in the first two innings. Sheets lasted just three innings and got the loss. Chris Capuano followed Sheets with four scoreless innings, a sign that he is either settling into his new role, and/or benefited from the rest of not having to go every fifth day. Prince Fielder cut the lead to 4-2 on his 45th dinger of the year in the 4th--Fielder is now tied for the Brewers' record for most home runs in a season. The Crew made it interesting in the 9th, after Corey Hart bunted his way on with two outs, and reserve catcher Mike Rivera followed with a 2-run homer...but Kevin Mench popped out to give the Reds the win. Jeff Suppan gets the nod tonight.