Braun homers in 1st AB, Brewers beat Athletics 2-1

Posted: Sat 11:11 PM, Feb 23, 2013

PHOENIX (AP) -- Ryan Braun homered in his first at-bat of spring training and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Oakland Athletics 2-1 Saturday in a spring opener.

Braun will soon be leaving the club to prepare for the World Baseball Classic with Team USA. The former NL MVP hit a solo shot with two outs in the first inning off Jesse Chavez.

Mike Fiers, in the mix for a spot in Milwaukee's starting rotation despite a late-season fade in 2012, allowed two hits and a walk in two scoreless innings and struck out one.

Brewers closer John Axford added a scoreless third inning.

Oakland shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima, who signed a two-year, $6.5 million contract in the offseason, made his debut. The 30-year-old walked and popped out in his two plate appearances.

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