Narveson improves chances for spot in rotation, help Brewers beat Royals 2-0

Narveson boosts bid for spot in Brewers’ rotation

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Chris Narveson’s only scare Tuesday was not from the Kansas City Royals’ offense.

Narveson, who is a candidate for the Milwaukee rotation, pitched four scoreless innings as the Brewers shut out the Kansas City Royals 2-0 Tuesday.

Narveson gave up five hits, struck out four, walked one and hit a batter. Five relievers held the Royals to three hits the final five innings.

Narveson’s most frightening moment came in the second. With Kila Ka’aihue on third and Yuniesky Betancourt on first, Brian Anderson bunted back to Narveson and he flipped the ball to home. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Ka’aihue was caught in a rundown. Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder, who is 5-11 and 268 pounds, came charging in to assist in the rundown.

“I was just getting out of the way,” Narveson said. “I saw P (Fielder) and Ka’aihue coming after me. I thought that was a bad matchup.”

Not only did the Brewers tag Ka’aihue out, but also Anderson when he attempted to take second during the rundown.

“It’s weird it happened in a spring training game,” Narveson said of the double play. “It’s funny we did those drills for like seven or eight straight days in spring training, flipping it to the catcher. It’s like, man, I’ve never had this happen my whole career.”

Narveson has not allowed a run in nine innings in three starts in his bid to win a rotation slot.

“Whenever you get an opportunity you want to take advantage of it,” Narveson said. “To kind of come in and do that has been nice, but the work is not done, yet. We’re only halfway though spring training. I’ve got to focus on my next outing.”

Gil Meche, who allowed three hits and two runs, one earned, in four innings, took the loss.

“Not bad,” Meche said of his outing. “I’m not as loose as I want to be at this point. I feel my command isn’t that good. I did throw some better breaking balls and changeups this time, which is what I wanted to do going into the game. It’s just the shoulder is a little tight, getting some knots out. You just can’t throw the ball and be smooth with it.”

Errors by Alberto Callaspo and Anderson led to an unearned run in the fourth. Jody Gerut’s double in the third scored Joe Inglett with the first run.

Notes: The Brewers traded RHP Omar Aguilar to Cleveland to retain Rule 5 selection LHP Chuck Lofgren, who has not allowed a run and just two hits in four innings. … The Brewers released veteran LHP John Halama, who had a 6.00 ERA in four outings. Halama has pitched in the majors with Houston, Seattle, Oakland, Tampa Bay, Boston, Washington and Baltimore. … Chris Gomez stole his seventh base in the seventh inning. … LF Scott Podsednik and 3B Chris Fields each had two hits for the Royals in a morning “B” game, but the Texas Rangers won 6-3.