BREWERS’ SHEETS MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO PITCH VS. CUBS
MILWAUKEE — If the Brewers ever needed a strong outing from oft-injured ace Ben Sheets, it would be this weekend. But after throwing a short bullpen session Thursday, Sheets isn’t sure if the sore elbow that has bothered him for more than a week will be ready in time for him to face the Cubs on Saturday.
“This one’s up in the air,” Sheets said.
If Sheets can’t go, Dave Bush likely would start.
Footnotes.
Mickey Vernon, a two-time American League batting champion with the Washington Senators and seven-time all-star first baseman during a 20-year career in the major leagues, died Wednesday in Media, Pa. He was 90.
• Things got so bad in the Mariners clubhouse this season that one player reportedly threatened to “knock out” outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, a “clubhouse insider” told The Seattle Times.
• Ryan Dempster (17-6) was tabbed by Cubs manager Lou Piniella to start Game 1 in the best-of-five division series at Wrigley Field.
• Indians pitcher Fausto Carmona and catcher Victor Martinez began serving suspensions for a bench-clearing brawl against the Tigers after an agreement with MLB that reduced their penalties by one game apiece, to five and two games, respectively.
• The Mets won a coin flip with the Astros and would host a tiebreaker for the NL wild card next week if it’s needed to decide a postseason berth.
• Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston received a two-year contract extension. The Associated Press
