got to go out there and perform," he said. Over the final two months of the season, Sheets pitched poorly and finished the year 11–13 with a 4.45 ERA. In 2004, Sheets' trouble with a bulging disc subsided. On June 13, 2004, Sheets struck out all three batters on nine total pitches in the third inning of a 5–4 loss to the Houston Astros, becoming the 26th National League pitcher and the 35th pitcher in major-league history to accomplish an immaculate inning. During 2004, his fastball was being clocked regularly at , primarily a result of improved health. That season he also struck out 18 batters in a May 16, 2004, game against the Atlanta Braves, shattering the franchise-record of 14, set by Moose Haas in 1978. By the end of the season, Sheets established himself as a strikeout threat, throwing 264, to finish second in the National League and third in the majors behind Randy Johnson and Johan Santana. After posting an ERA above 4.00 in his previous three seasons, Sheets compiled a dominant 2.70 ERA and 0.98 WHIP, which ranked Sheets fourth and third, respectively, among all starting pitchers. Most impressively, Sheets amassed only 32 walks, giving Sheets a strikeout-to-walk ratio of over 8:1, far and away the best in the major leagues. A mediocre 12–14 win–loss record during this outstanding season was primarily the result of poor run support. Sheets finished 8th in the Cy Young Award voting. In response to his success in 2004, the Brewers signed Sheets to a four-year, $38.5 million extension. At that time, it was the largest contract in Brewers history. However, after signing the contract, Sheets struggled with health issues. A series of inner ear infections that caused dizziness and a loss of balance forced Sheets onto the disabled list for a period of time in the beginning of the 2005 season. Sheets started the 2006 season on the disabled list but quickly came off it only to pitch three starts before going on the DL again with shoulder tendinitis. He returned to the starting rotation two weeks after the All-Star break. Sheets pitched a 7-inning shutout against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In his second game back he would pitch nearly a complete game shutout but in the 9th, Sheets gave up a 2-run homer to Ken Griffey Jr. of the Reds. In 2007, Sheets started both his and the Brewers' season