PHOENIX (AP) -- Chris Carter and Martin Maldonado each hit three-run homers, Wily Peralta threw six strong innings and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Kansas City Royals 9-2 on Thursday.
   Ryan Braun was a late scratch for the Brewers due to lower back soreness. He had back surgery in the off-season and was slowly easing back into play (seven at-bats) without any setbacks before Thursday.
   Eric Young Jr. added a two-run homer for Milwaukee. Peralta, the Brewers' No. 1 starter, had his best outing of the spring, allowing four hits and one run, a solo homer to Eric Hosmer. It was the third homer for Hosmer, who is now hitting .400.
   Reymond Fuentes added his third homer of the spring in the ninth inning for Kansas City. Starter Dillon Gee sailed through the first three innings before allowing the three-run homer to Maldonado in the fourth.