GRAND CHUTE --The Brewers' beleaguered starting rotation is one step closer to being back at full strength.

Making his first appearance being placed on the disabled list with a torn triceps, Dave Bush scattered four hits over 4 2/3 innings of work Friday night with Class A Wisconsin.

Bush took a 1-0 lead into the fifth inning. West Michigan's Ben Guez opened the frame by reaching on an error and would score on a two-out single by Angel Flores.

Bush left the game after that, having thrown 55 pitches -- 43 for strikes. His fastball topped out at about 87 miles per hour and he effectively mixed in a good assortment of breaking balls to finsih with five strikeouts and no walks.

And, most importanly for his big league team, Bush seemed to have excellent command of all of his pitches.

"It felt good," said Bush afterwards. "I haven't pitched to a hitter in about three weeks, so I was excited to get back on the mound in a game situation."

Bush's outing, along with Brett Lawrie's ninth home run of the year, helped the Timber Rattlers to a 5-2 victory over West Michigan. Cody Adams came on in relief of Bush and picked up his third victory of the season while Brandon Ritchie earned his first save.

His trip to Appleton marked the first time the Brewers sent a player to rehab with the Timber Rattlers since the two teams signed a four-year player-development agreement during the offseason.

The game drew 5,433 fans to Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium, nearly missing the record attendance number set on opening day in April.

"It was fun," Bush said. "My preference would not be to be here, I prefer to pitch in a big league game. But it was very convenient to be able to drive up here and be this close and not have to fly out somewhere."

Bush is expected to make another minor league start on Wednesday with Class AA Huntsville. If all goes well there, Milwaukee manager Ken Macha expects him to return to the rotation for a July 20 contest at Pittsburgh.

In 15 appearances (14 starts) with the Brewers this season, Bush compiled a 3-4 record and a 5.67 earned run average. He was 3-1 heading into a June 4 start at Florida, when he was struck in the arm by a line drive from the Marlins' Hanley Ramirez.

He would make three more starts before going to the disabled list on June 23, with what was at the time considered arm fatigue. The tear was revealed shortly thereafter.