TORONTO (AP) _ The Cleveland Indians might have to give some more thought about Russell Branyan.

Branyan went 3-for-3 with four RBIs, hitting a three-run homer as the Indians beat the Toronto Blue Jays 9-6 Sunday.

The third baseman probably won't make the team because Travis Fryman is signed through 2002, and David Justice, Richie Sexson and Jim Thome share DH duties.

``He showed me something today and then some,'' Cleveland general manager John Hart said. ``When you hit an opposite-field homer off Billy Koch that's something.''

Koch, whose fastball has been clocked as high as 101 mph, walked his first two batters in the fourth inning before Branyan connected for a homer that landed in the second deck.

``You don't see that very often,'' Hart said. ``He's one of the best power prospects we've developed _ maybe the best.''

The 24 year-old's stock as an elite prospect, however, as dipped because he struck out 187 times in 395 minor league at-bats last season. In 1,922 career minor league at-bats, he's struck out 745 times.

``We've always liked him, but he's got to hit better in two strike situations,'' Hart said. ``Today he did that. It's to early to say if he'll make this team.''

The Indians probably will have Branyan start the year at Triple-A Buffalo, but if Fryman is injured, they'll need him ready to play.

``The kid has been at spring training since January. He's done a lot of work on cutting down his strikeouts,'' bench coach Grady Little said. ``He hit that ball as far as you can hit it.''

Carlos Delgado's RBI single gave Toronto a 1-0 lead in the first. Richie Sexson's sacrifice fly tied it in the second. Jacob Brumfield's RBI double and Alberto Castillo's RBI groundout in the bottom half gave Toronto a 3-1 lead.

After Branyan's homer gave Cleveland a 4-3 lead and Omar Vizquel hit an RBI double in the fifth. Homer Bush's RBI groundout in the bottom half cut it to 5-4.

The Indians scored two more runs in the sixth on Mark Whiten's RBI groundout and on shortstop Alex Gonzalez's throwing error. Tony Batista had an RBI double in the sixth, but Branyan's RBI infield single in the seventh made it 8-5. Kevin Lidle hit a solo homer in the eighth.

Notes: Cleveland manager Charlie Manuel was released from hospital. Manuel underwent surgery last Monday after his colon ruptured. ... Branyan has 149 homers in 537 minor league games. ... Branyan had 19 strikeouts in 38 at-bats with Cleveland last season ... Toronto's Chris Carpenter has swelling in his right elbow and will visit with Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., on Monday. Carpenter had surgery on the elbow last September after it bothered him for almost the entire season. He is projected to be the Blue Jays' No. 2 starter behind David Wells. ... Toronto starter Clayton Andrews hit Thome on the helmet with a pitch in the second inning. Thome went down in a heap but was OK. ... Vernon Wells, competing with Jose Cruz Jr. for Toronto's starting job in center, worked a walk after falling behind 0-for-2 in his first at-bat. He struck out his second at-bat, but tripled in his third. He also had a stolen base.