PHOENIX (AP) -Jonathan Sanchez wants to be known as more than a one-game wonder.

Ever since the San Francisco Giants lefty threw a no-hitter against San Diego on July 10, he has been trying to show that he is a consistent pitcher. He still hasn't reached that point, but he took a step in the right direction Monday by striking out 11 in an 8-6 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

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In his best outing of the spring, the 27-year-old Sanchez gave up one run and three hits in six innings. His career high in strikeouts in a regular-season game is 11 - he did that in his no-hitter.

``I am trying to slow down my body, throw easy,' Sanchez said. ``That's what I've been trying to do. Before, my body was flying open.'

Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti was pleased with the effort, particularly in the warmer weather.

``You want to get into a rhythm and stay with it through the whole pitch,' Righetti said. ``It was a nice job by him. He warmed up nice and he is in good shape.'

Sanchez, penciled in as the No. 4 starter behind Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Barry Zito, will have one more start and said he will be ready to pitch the home opener against Atlanta at AT&T Park on April 9.

He gave up two hits to the Brewers in the first inning and just one thereafter, a solo home run to Rickie Weeks with one out in the sixth inning.

Sanchez also hit Brewers slugger Prince Fielder on the right elbow pad to lead off the fourth. Plate umpire Dan Bellino issued a warning to Sanchez, as well as to the Brewers dugout.

The Giants' Barry Zito had hit Fielder in the teams' first meeting this spring in apparent retaliation for Fielder's home run celebration that the Giants said went too far last season. In a separate incident in 2009, Sanchez had hit Fielder in his next at-bat following a home run off Sanchez.

Sanchez was surprised by the warning. He said this pitch was a curveball and was inside ``because if it is away, he will crush it.'

Milwaukee manager Ken Macha said he was unaware that the Brewers also had been warned until reporters told him after the game.

``I'm pretty amazed at that, too,' he said. ``That was not even an issue.'

The Giants have growing issue about who is going to be their starter in right field. Nate Schierholtz spent the early part of camp as the man to beat, but John Bowker has come on strong. There is talk now that Bowker could start in left field and that Mark DeRosa could move over and see time in right.

Bowker made another strong case for himself with his fifth home run, a two-run shot off Dave Bush, and a double. Schierholtz doubled, tripled and scored three runs.

Bush, making a bid for a spot in the Brewers' rotation, also gave up a home run to Eugenio Velez and surrendered seven runs and eight hits in six innings. Macha called Bush's outing ``discouraging. There were a lot of misses over the middle.'

NOTES: Brewers star LF Ryan Braun missed his third straight game with a sore back, but Macha said he expects him to be ready for the regular season. ... Milwaukee RF Corey Hart, hitting .143, took the day off to work on his swing with hitting coach Dale Sveum. ... Macha said RHP Yovani Gallardo will start the season opener against Colorado at home on April 5, followed by left-handers Randy Wolf and Doug Davis. The other two spots have not been announced. ... RHP Todd Wellemeyer, who has locked up the No. 5 spot in the Giants' rotation, will pitch against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. ... The status of Giants OF Fred Lewis is uncertain. He has been bothered by soreness in his ribcage.