Cubs (ss) 11, Brewers 7

PHOENIX (AP) --In the end, Ryan Braun's bat couldn't overcome his glove -- or, more accurately, his arm.

The Milwaukee Brewers' rookie third baseman hit his fifth home run of spring training, tying for the Cactus League lead, but was sent back to minor league camp Monday after his team's 11-7 loss to a Chicago Cubs split squad.

On his way out, Braun showcased the same tools that defined his spring: good bat, shaky defense. He hit a three-run homer as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning, then committed his fourth throwing error in the seventh.

Braun's five homers came in four Cactus League games -- and he made a throwing error in each one.

"He's really done a nice job offensively, but he still needs to polish some of his defense," Brewers manager Ned Yost said. "He knows what he needs to do. He's really, really close."

Braun, a first-round draft pick in 2005, will play regularly in minor league camp and probably start the season as the everyday third baseman for Triple-A Nashville.

"Obviously, I'm a little disappointed, but I kind of saw it coming," Braun said. "I'll just go down there and work hard and get better defensively and hopefully I'll be back up here soon."

Braun began Cactus League play by hitting a pair of homers and driving in seven runs in the exhibition opener. He homered again the next day but made throwing errors in both games and then mentioned he was having discomfort in his elbow.

The Brewers shut him down for a week, and he said the elbow was not a problem. Still, when he homered last Thursday and again on Monday, he also made throwing errors.

His error Monday came after he made a diving stop. He got up and threw in plenty of time to get Chicago's Jacque Jones, but the ball sailed well wide of first baseman Vinny Rottino.

"It was a tough play," Braun said before he learned he was sent down. "I did everything I could to try to make the play."

Cubs prospect Felix Pie had three hits to raise his spring training average to .370, Daryle Ward drove in four runs with a pair of two-run doubles and Jones hit a three-run homer to lead Chicago.

The Cubs scored five times in the first inning off Milwaukee prospect Yovani Gallardo. Pie's one-out triple in the fifth started a two-run rally.

Bill Hall hit a two-run homer for the Brewers.

Notes:@ Milwaukee also returned Gallardo, pitcher Luther Hackman and catcher Nestor Corredor to its minor league camp. The Brewers optioned OF Drew Anderson and pitcher Dennis Sarfate to Triple-A Nashville, and 2B Hernan Iribarren to Double-A Huntsville.