PHOENIX (AP)—Russell Branyan boosted his chances of winning the Milwaukee Brewers’ third-base job, going 3-for-3 with a two-run homer in a 6-3 victory Monday over a Kansas City Royals split squad.
Branyan has six consecutive hits, including two homers, to raise his spring average to .409.
“I don’t know what the deciding factor will be,” Branyan said. “I’m pretty happy with the way I’m swinging the bat.”
He’s competing for the starting third-base job with Wes Helms, who had a terrible season last year, in part because of injuries.
Catcher Damian Miller also went 3-for-3 with an RBI, and the Brewers used a four-run second inning against Jose Lima to go ahead. Leadoff hitter Brady Clark knocked in a pair of runs for Milwaukee.
Brewers starter Ben Hendrickson, one of five pitchers vying for two open spots in the rotation, did not fare well. Hendrickson allowed five hits, two walks and three runs, increasing his spring ERA to 12.00.
“You can’t pitch in the big leagues without command,” manager Ned Yost said. “His command is not where it should be.”
Wes Obermueller, another of those pitchers fighting for a starting job, turned in a stellar outing with four shutout innings.
In three spring outings, Obermueller has allowed only one run in nine innings.
Matt Wise, Mike Adams and Justin Lehr, all of whom figure to be in the Brewers’ bullpen, each tossed a scoreless inning to finish off the Royals.
An MRI on the left hand of Milwaukee left fielder Carlos Lee was negative, meaning he has no hairline fractures. Lee was hit on the hand by a pitch Saturday.
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