PHILADELPHIA (AP) ― All Ryan Braun needed to shake his slump was a trip to Philadelphia.
Braun hit three home runs and tied a franchise record with seven RBIs to lead the Milwaukee Brewers to a 10-4 victory Tuesday, spoiling the Phillies’ home opener.
Braun connected twice off Kyle Kendrick (0-1), snapping the longest homerless drought of his career. The 2011 NL MVP came in with only three singles in 20 at-bats this season.
But Braun, who is bothered by a right thumb injury, felt just fine ― as usual ― in Philadelphia. He has 10 homers and 21 RBIs in 20 career games at Citizens Bank Park.
“It’s a good ballpark to hit in,” Braun said. “And, I enjoy competing against Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard.”
Coming off a three-game sweep of the World Series champion Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, the Brewers won their fourth straight game and improved to 5-2.
Philadelphia Phillies players take the field ahead of their game on Tuesday. (AP-Yonhap)
Kyle Lohse (1-1) allowed three runs and seven hits in five innings, walking five.
Braun was booed in his first game in Philly since serving a 65-game suspension for violations of Major League Baseball’s drug agreement and labor contract. He also got an earful last week in Boston.
It didn’t bother him.
“It’s very motivating,” Braun said. “It’s nothing new for me.”
Rangers topple Red Sox 10-7
BOSTON (AP) ― Martin Perez put Boston’s leadoff hitter on base in seven innings. Then the left-hander pitched Texas out of jams by getting five double plays.
That helped the Rangers withstand a late rally and beat the Red Sox 10-7 on Tuesday night.
The double play is “a pitcher’s best friend,” Texas manager Ron Washington said. “They got on base, but he was able to eliminate them.”
Boston’s five double plays were one fewer than the American League record for a nine-inning game shared by eight teams. The major league mark of seven was set by the San Francisco Giants in 1969.
Dodgers beat Tigers 3-2
LOS ANGELES (AP) ― Carl Crawford hit an RBI double in the 10th inning, lifting the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night.
Joba Chamberlain (0-1) struck out the side in the ninth for Detroit, but walked pinch-hitter Chone Figgins to open the 10th and was replaced by Phil Coke.
Dee Gordon popped out to first baseman Victor Martinez on an attempted sacrifice bunt, but Crawford lined a 2-0 pitch past left fielder Rajai Davis and Figgins scampered home. J.P. Howell (1-0) pitched a perfect 10th inning.
Baltimore 14, NY Yankees 5
San Francisco 7, Arizona 3
Cleveland 8, San Diego 6
Washington 5, Miami 0
Toronto 5, Houston 2
NY Mets 4, Atlanta 0
Pittsburgh 7, Chicago Cubs 6
Tampa Bay 1, Kansas City 0
St. Louis 7, Cincinnati 5
Chicago White Sox 15, Colorado 3
Seattle 5, LA Angels 3
