PHOENIX (AP) - Manny Ramirez showed he has plenty of pop left in his bat, hitting his first home run in an Oakland Athletics uniform Tuesday.

While that may have been a significant milestone to some, it wasn't to Ramirez.

``I know what I can do,' the embattled slugger said after helping the A's to an 8-6 victory over a Milwaukee Brewers split squad.

Advertisement

Ramirez was hitless in the first eight at_bats of his comeback this spring. He snapped out of that funk with a homer to left-center against right-hander Mike Fiers in the second inning.

Ramirez, who has not played in the majors since last April, drew a walk his next time up and then flied out. He had spent the past couple of days in minor league camp getting extra at_bats.

``Everyone is playing year-round and I'm trying to catch up,' Ramirez said. ``Every time I go (to minor league camp), I love it. If you like to play, you enjoy it - because once you don't have it, you don't have it.'

Ramirez, who turns 40 in May, must serve a 50-game suspension to start the season for a second violation of baseball's drug policy.

His new teammate, Yoenis Cespedes, went hitless for the second consecutive game.

Cespedes, the Cuban outfielder the A's signed to a four-year, $36 million deal, struck out twice and grounded out. Since he homered and had two hits in his Cactus League debut, Cespedes has gone 0 for 6 with three strikeouts. He has seen more breaking balls over the past two games.

``I feel good,' Cespedes said through a translator. ``The last six at_bats were against different pitchers. I like that. I want to see different pitchers with different mechanics.'

Jarrod Parker, the centerpiece of the package the A's received from Arizona in the Trevor Cahill trade, pitched 3 1-3 scoreless innings. Parker has allowed two runs in 7 1-3 innings this spring.

``I sometimes battle in the spring with the delivery,' said Parker, who missed 2010 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. ``It's great to be healthy this year and working to get better and stronger. I'm trying to be as efficient as possible. I want to work on what I'm doing here and get ready for the season.'

The Brewers took a 4-2 lead on a three-run homer by catcher Martin Maldonado in the sixth. The A's came back and took the lead with a five-run seventh.

Oakland scored the go-ahead run when Eric Sogard was awarded home plate on interference. Maldonado didn't have the ball when Sogard ran into him in a rundown between third and home.

Milwaukee outfielder Logan Schaefer continued his torrid spring with three more hits. He is batting .588.

Schaefer also cut down a runner at the plate on a perfect throw from left.

Brewers outfielder Nyjer Morgan had two hits, including a double. He also stole two bases.

NOTES: The A's claimed infielder Brandon Hicks on waivers from the Atlanta Braves. The 26-year-old Hicks batted .048 (1 for 21) during three stints in the majors last year. He is 1 for 26 in parts of the last two seasons. Hicks hit .252 with 18 homers at Triple-A. The A's placed pitcher Brett Anderson on the 60-day disabled list to make room on the 40-man roster for Hicks. ... Oakland manager Bob Melvin said any of the five pitchers in the running for the final three rotation spots - Graham Godfrey, Tommy Milone, Brad Peacock, Tyson Ross and Parker - could make the team as a long reliever. ... Hall of Fame OF Rickey Henderson arrived at A's camp. He will begin working with players in big league camp and minor league camp this week.