Advertisement
Fly balls became home runs and defenders dropped pop ups on a windy, cold day. The sun-baked infield continued to play extremely fast.
That’s why Brewers manager Ned Yost isn’t worried about his presumed opening day starter.
“No, he’s not scuffling,” Yost said after Sheets allowed seven hits and four runs in three innings. He was supposed to go longer.
Raul Ibanez lofted a fly ball off Sheets in the first inning that had Ichiro Suzuki heading back to first base to tag up. The ball got into the wind and sailed over the left-center field wall for a two-run home run.
Seattle’s fourth and final run of the inning came after Brad Wilkerson’s ground ball rolled up the arm of first baseman Eric Munson. A single by Richie Sexson in the second went through the top of shortstop J.J. Hardy’s glove. Second baseman Rickie Weeks later dropped a pop fly.
“It’s hard to play down here,” Yost said. “Everybody has trouble playing down here.”
