Boggs has made a powerful impression

MILWAUKEE In 2008, Brandon Boggs appeared in 101 games for the Texas Rangers as a 25-year-old. After spending two more seasons in Texas and getting only 24 at-bats combined in '09 and '10, Boggs signed with Milwaukee last offseason. Boggs has been back and forth between the major leagues and Triple A this season, depending on the health and availability of outfielder Nyjer Morgan. Saturday afternoon against the Pirates, with center fielder Carlos Gomez getting the day off, Boggs got his second start of the season. In both of his starts, Boggs smacked a solo home run over the wall at Miller Park. One home run was hit as a lefthanded batter and the other as a righthander. "I'm really not a home run hitter, but I got a couple balls that have gone out," Boggs said, adding that he hopes Brewers fans don't get the impression he's a power hitter. Boggs went 1-of-2 at the plate Saturday, including two intentional walks. Although manager Ron Roenicke ruled out the possibility Boggs had earned another start for Sunday's game, the Brewers manager knew how important the extra at-bats would be for Boggs. "Boggs had a nice day," Roenicke said. "Not only does he get the big home run when we needed it, but it gets him enough at-bats that when he's on the bench he feels a little more comfortable now going up to the plate. Those at-bats when you pinch hit are really important. They're usually with guys on base. Usually it's close if I'm pinch hitting guys. It gives him a boost to go up there and do that job." Including his two starts this season, Boggs has logged only 15 at-bats in the team's first 39 games. He has two walks and six strikeouts in addition to the home runs. The goal for Boggs is to find a consistent role with a major league team, and he hopes he's found that in Milwaukee. "Baseball is a struggle. Baseball is a long season," Boggs said. "You can play this game for a long time. I just don't want to give up. I'm just going to be a guy that's going to be a piece of somebody's team to get to the postseason. Hopefully here (in Milwaukee) and be that player, whatever role they have me in." While acknowledging that it can be difficult not knowing what may be expected of him on a daily basis, Boggs never changes his routine. "You have a routine that you go through every day to get you ready for anything," he said. "It took me a couple years to find it, and right now it's just working for me." Boggs is also looking to the veteran hitters on the team as he continues to learn. "I like to take a little bit from everybody," Boggs said. "This whole clubhouse is full of great hitters and guys who get it done. They'll come up to me and we'll talk about it and talk about our at-bats and everything. They're pretty much open to helping me out, and I appreciate everybody in here."