Surprise, Ariz. ? Kevin Appier could have a hard time making the Kansas City Royals’ rotation out of spring training.

Appier gave up four runs and three hits, including Jeremy Reed’s solo homer, and walked three in 2 2/3 innings during Kansas City’s 4-4 tie with the Seattle Mariners in a split-squad game Monday.

Appier, the club’s career strikeout leader, is the oldest player in Royals camp at 37 as the team goes through a youth movement. He made only two big-league starts last season after having surgery in September 2003 to repair a flexor tendon tear in his right elbow.

“I pitched so unhealthy for so long, it takes awhile to get that feel back, but I don’t have a lot of time,” he said.

Appier is signed to a minor-league contract and is a non-roster invite to spring training for the first time since 1989, the year he made his big league debut.

“Usually, when I come down to spring training, it’s just to work on certain pitches, but this spring there’s more scrutiny on results,” Appier said. “I’m in a game mode now, trying to get guys out right away.”Emil Brown, trying to win a job as a reserve outfielder for Kansas City, went 2-for-3 to raise his average to .474.

Brewers 6, Royals (ss) 3

Phoenix — Russell Branyan boosted his chances of winning the Milwaukee Brewers’ third-base job, going 3-for-3 with a two-run homer in a 6-3 victory Monday over a Kansas City Royals split squad.

Branyan has six consecutive hits, including two homers, to raise his spring average to .409.

“I don’t know what the deciding factor will be,” Branyan said. “I’m pretty happy with the way I’m swinging the bat.”

Notes

Right-hander Byron Embry, who allowed just one hit to the 12 batters he faced in spring training, was among 10 players cut Monday from the Royals’ major-league roster.

Embry, who had a 1.46 earned-run average in 42 relief appearances last season with Lincoln (Neb.) in the independent Northern League, was reassigned to Royals’ minor-league camp.

The Royals optioned pitchers Brian Bass, Leo Nunez and Devon Lowery and second baseman Donnie Murphy to Double-A Wichita and sent first baseman Justin Huber and catcher Paul Phillips to Triple-A Omaha.

The club also reassigned outfielder Adrian Brown and right-handed pitchers Steve Stemle and Roberto Giron to the minor-league camp.