Royals edge Milwaukee 2-1

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KANSAS CITY - The Milwaukee Brewers did not get a hit until the seventh inning last night, as they lost at Kansas City 2-1.

Ryan Braun broke up Luis Mendoza’s bid for history with an infield single on a shot to third. Billy Butler drove in the winning run for the Royals with a single in the eighth that scored Alex Gordon – who hit a solo homer off Zack Greinke in the first. Milwaukee scored its only run in the seventh when Rickie Weeks singled home Aramis Ramirez. Greinke pitched a gem after he settled down in the first. The homer was the only run he gave up in seven innings, and he struck out eight while scattering six hits and no walks. Francisco Rodriguez took the loss, and fell to 0-4. Greg Holland pitched a scoreless eighth to get the win. He’s 2-2. Jonathan Broxton stranded two runners in the ninth to escape with his 15th save. Weeks had two hits for the Brewers, who’ve lost two-of-their-last-three. Kansas City ended a four-game losing streak.

The two teams will continue their series tonight at Kauffman Stadium. Left-hander Randy Wolf will start against Royals’ southpaw Jonathan Sanchez.

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Brewers’ minor league outfielder Erick Almonte said he had a 50-game drug suspension reversed. He told ESPN Deportes that he took a routine drug test May fourth in Albuquerque, and had tested positive for amphetamines. Almonte said the players’ union could not help him appeal, since he was not on Milwaukee’s 40-man roster – and so he and his agent acted alone. According to ESPN, Major League Baseball reviewed Almonte’s medical records and his sample – and then decided he was clean. Almonte played 16 games for Milwaukee last season. He now plays for the Brewers’ Triple-“A” affiliate in Nashville.

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The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers won the first half title in the Midwest League’s Western Division last night, with a 3-1 victory at Clinton in 10 innings. The Brewers’ lower-Class-“A” affiliate from Appleton won its first division crown since 2005. And manager Matt Erickson said he was impressed that the team kept pressing to win the championship even though it clinched a playoff spot on Sunday. Brandon Macias and Max Walla drove in the decisive runs for Wisconsin in the 10th. The Timber Rattlers now have a five-game lead over second-place Beloit as the first half of the Midwest League season wraps up this weekend.

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