Torrid Braun has two more hits in close loss

Associated Press

PHOENIX

Ryan Braun extended his torrid stretch with two more hits and two RBIs for the Milwaukee Brewers in a 3-2 loss to the Cleveland Indians on Saturday.

After an 0-for-12 start this spring, Braun has 10 hits in his last 19 at-bats (.526) and is hitting .323 in Cactus League play. He had both hits against Cleveland starter Zach McAllister, who struck out nine in five innings.

“Their guy was throwing really hard and [Braun] squares it up and the ball was really taking off,” Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke said. “He looks good. We need to keep him where he is now and hopefully he can maintain that.”

Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis, who recently missed seven games with back spasms, hit a two-run homer in the second inning. Cleveland scored the go-ahead run on a force play in the eighth.

The Brewers had scored 91 runs in the last 11 games, hitting .353 as a team. But Braun provided all the offense Saturday with an RBI double in the first and a run-scoring single in the fifth.

McAllister made a strong bid for a rotation spot, striking out five consecutive hitters in the second and third innings, and two more in the fifth. He allowed six hits.

“He had real good velocity and he held it through his last inning,” Cleveland manager Terry Francona said. “He also threw some good off-speed pitches. That was impressive but he’s been good all spring.

McAllister was matched by Milwaukee starter Wily Peralta, who continued an impressive spring with six innings of two-run, six-hit ball.

STARTING TIME

Indians: McAllister hadn’t allowed an earned run in his last nine innings before Braun doubled home Jean Segura in the first on a ball up in the zone. But he came back strong in the second, striking out the side to begin a run of five consecutive strike outs.

“The first inning I was up and if I stayed there I would have gotten hurt,” McAllister said. “Being able to make that adjustment was a big part of [my success\. I feel like I’ve definitely gotten better at making quicker in-game adjustments.”

Brewers: Peralta had a big smile on his face as he walked off the mound after six strong innings and 89 pitches. He also got his first hit of the spring, a single to left center, and trucked home from second on a single by Braun — getting a friendly bounce off the mound on the throw to the plate to enhance his foot speed.

“It’s been a good spring,” said Peralta, who has a 2.51 ERA in 141/3 innings. “I made a few mistakes in the second inning. I left an (0-2) slider over the plate (on the triple to Ramirez) and then another mistake (the home run to Kipnis) but I made a good adjustment to get back in a groove. I put the pitches where I want to.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Indians: OF Michael Brantley (lower back soreness) took part in morning workouts on Saturday and might play Sunday against the Chicago White Sox. ... INF Nick Swisher (surgery on both knees) could see his first game action in a minor league game sometime next week. His availability for opening day is looking more and more doubtful.

Brewers: None.

DADDY’S COMING HOME

Indians RHP Carlos Carrasco headed home to Florida on Saturday to be with his wife, who is expecting their fourth child any day. He took part in the morning workouts before heading to the airport.