Sabathia wins in debut with Brewers

MILWAUKEE -- CC Sabathia was a little wild in his debut with the Milwaukee Brewers, but delivered as advertised in a 7-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night.

Sabathia (1-0) gave up two earned runs and five hits over six innings in his first outing since being traded Monday by Cleveland. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner walked five, tying the season high he set in April.

Now it remains to be seen whether the tight end-sized left-hander can pair with incumbent ace Ben Sheets to power the Brewers past the Chicago Cubs, who delivered a counterpunch to Milwaukee’s trade for Sabathia by prying Rich Harden from Oakland in a trade Tuesday.

Showcasing everything from a 96-mph fastball to off-speed pitches that dipped into the low 80s in front of a sellout crowd of 42,533, Sabathia kept the Rockies grounded early as the Brewers took a 4-1 lead.

But Sabathia got in trouble in the sixth inning, loading the bases with no outs on an infield single by Matt Holliday and walks to Garrett Atkins and Ryan Spillborghs.

Yorvit Torrealba doubled down the right-field line, driving in Holliday and Atkins. But Sabathia got out of the inning without giving up the lead.