RICH ROVITO
Associated press

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Ryan Braun has returned the Brewers starting lineup and lower down in the batting order.

Braun, who has been bothered by a bad back, was slotted into the fifth spot for Thursday afternoon’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies after sitting out the previous two contests.

It was the first time that Braun hit fifth in the starting lineup since Sept. 14, 2008. He had been hitting second lately after starting the season batting third.

But manager Ron Roenicke said it was a matter of creating consistency at the top of the lineup. Braun also has missed games with an injured thumb and a sore oblique this season.

Braun is hitting .291 with 11 homers and a team-high 49 RBIs in 69 games.

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