Ben Sheets Shuts Down Mets, 6-1 - East Idaho News
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Ben Sheets Shuts Down Mets, 6-1

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Getty S 71512 Ben%20Sheets?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1342400452972Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images(ATLANTA) — Ben Sheets returned to the mound for the first time since July 19, 2010 allowing just one walk with five strikeouts in six shutout innings of work in the Braves (49-39) 6-1 win over the New York Mets (46-43) on Sunday.

In his 242nd career start, Sheets threw 88 pitches, 57 for strikes, and improved to 91-92 in his career.  Sheets (1-0) missed all of the 2011 season following elbow ligament replacement surgery and his son Seaver, pushed his father to return to baseball in March.

“It was pretty incredible,” Sheets said. “Honestly in my mind, two years ago I was done, which was fine. I gave myself ‘coach of the year’ award in youth ball. Somebody asked me ‘Who gives that?’ I said ‘I give it to myself.’”

Sheets started his comeback while using his 8-year-old son’s “throwback” machine and watched the last three innings from the Atlanta dugout.

“I like to do that and I’ve had very good feedback on it,” Sheets said. “You work so hard to get a victory. I ain’t going to leave them out there. They’re battling for me.”

Johan Santana (6-6) gave up eight hits, six runs, and allowed two walks with three strikeouts in five innings for the loss.

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