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MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Once again, the Brewers' bullpen couldn't hold a lead. Milwaukee's relievers coughed up a three-run lead in the eighth inning Sunday, allowing the Astros to steal a 9-7 victory. Milwaukee had its three-game winning streak snapped. It was a happy homecoming for Astros interim manager Cecil Cooper, who took over for fired manager Phil Garner last week. Cooper was a five-time All-Star in 11 seasons with the Brewers.

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Fans may be grumbling, but Ned Yost's job is apparently secure. Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio gave the team manager a firm vote of confidence yesterday. He says there's no reason to think Yost won't be back next year -- but he stopped short of making that a guarantee. Milwaukee had an 8 1/2 game lead in the NL Central in June. Now they trail the Cubs by 1 1/2 games.

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The Brewers will be facing a pitcher today who hasn't pitched for over a year. Houston's Brandon Backe was activated from the 15-day disabled list Friday. Tonight will mark his first appearance following elbow-ligament replacement surgery. The Brewers will send Charlie Villanueva to the mound. He's 6-3 with a 4.68 ERA.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- For the first time since 1992, the Packers enter the season with just two tight ends on their roster. Barring an unlikely late-week acquisition, it'll be just Bubba Franks and Donald Lee. Offensive coordinator Joe Philbin says both had good camps, and both will be used equally this season.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Former Packer Marquand Manuel wasn't unemployed for long. The Carolina Panthers signed the safety yesterday, two days after Green Bay released him. The 28-year-old Manuel started all 16 games at strong safety for the Packers in 2006 after signing a five-year, 10-million-dollar deal before the season. But Manuel lost his starting job in the preseason.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

APNP-09-04-07 0431CDT