• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Branyan, Brewers too strong for Blue Jays

Jun 19, 2008 - 4:07 AM By Dave Cotey PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- Russell Branyan continues to be an unlikely sparkplug for the Milwaukee Brewers.

The career journeyman homered for the third time in four games as the Brewers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays, 5-4, Wednesday at Miller Park.

Brewers starting pitcher Ben Sheets (8-1) tossed six effective innings for his fourth straight win as Milwaukee defeated Toronto at home for the ninth consecutive time.

Branyan hit a solo shot off Toronto starter Shawn Marcum (5-4) in the second inning, his ninth home run since being recalled from Class AAA Nashville on May 24. The Brewers are 16-7 since the third baseman's arrival.

"I'm really enjoying the playing time I'm getting and really enjoying the way the team's playing as well," Branyan said. "We've been winning a bunch of ballgames. It's nice to be a part of it. I came up and early on and hit a couple homers and any time you get a little spark like that, it's contagious."

In sharp contrast to Branyan's 445-foot bomb, the Brewers scored a pair of runs in the fourth inning on two balls that traveled a combined 40 feet.

Corey Hart doubled off Marcum and advanced to third on Branyan's flyout. Mike Cameron followed with a dribbler in front of the pitcher's mound, and Hart beat Marcum's underhanded scoop to the plate to give the Brewers a 2-1 lead.

"The little nubber was a do-or-die play," Zaun said. "I probably could have done a better job of getting my knee down. He made a perfect slide and got right between my legs."

Later in the inning with runners on first and third, Toronto catcher Gregg Zaun picked up Sheets' bunt in front of the plate and threw to first for the out. Cameron broke home on Zaun's throw and scored ahead of first baseman Lyle Overbay's relay to the plate.

"You go as far (down the line) as the third baseman allows you to go. I was halfway down," Cameron said. "When (Zaun) threw, I just took off. I knew the first baseman had to make a really good throw. It was close, but I was safe."

Sheets allowed four hits and struck out five with four walks, just the second time in 14 starts this season he has walked more than two batters.

"I definitely didn't get stronger (as the game went on), but we made it stand up," Sheets said. "I didn't locate at all. I'd get two outs and I couldn't get that quick inning."

Brewers closer Salomon Torres got out of a bases-loaded jam and pitched a scoreless ninth for his ninth save of the season.

"He was rested and has been very successful for us," Brewers manager Ned Yost said. "I've got to watch myself. The situation (for a multi-inning save) has to be right for it. I won't do it tomorrow. He'll be available tomorrow, but I won't four-out save him."

Marcum failed to reach the seventh inning for just the third time this season. He lasted six innings, struck out six and allowed four runs on six hits, including two home runs - Branyan's and a solo shot by Cameron in the sixth.

"He didn't pitch bad," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "He kept us right there. He was good. He always keeps us right there."

Zaun homered and drove in three runs for the Blue Jays, who lost their fourth straight game and 12th of their last 16 contests.