NEW YORK — Gabe Kapler has gone from minor league manager to major league hassle for opposing pitchers.

Kapler, who managed in the Red Sox organization last season, homered for the second straight day, doubled twice and drove in three runs to help the Milwaukee Brewers beat the New York Mets 9-7 on Sunday afternoon.

Not bad for a guy who was the manager for Class A Greenville at this time last year.

"I just think overall it gives you a different perspective on how to approach an at-bat, how to approach a day," Kapler said.

"I wouldn't try to label it — surreal, spectacular. I'm just playing baseball, enjoying being at the ballpark, enjoying being in the clubhouse, enjoying winning games, enjoying being with my teammates."

Corey Hart had a career-high four hits and Rickie Weeks homered and scored three runs for the Brewers, who won two of three in the weekend series.

The 32-year-old Kapler came out of retirement during the offseason and has four home runs in 26 at-bats. The last time Kapler had at least four homers in a season was 2004 with Boston. He didn't get No. 4 that season until July 21, in his 159th at-bat.

Meanwhile, the Mets had ample baserunners despite Jose Reyes sitting out his second straight game because of a strained left hamstring. They pounded out 14 hits and walked eight times.

The Mets scored in each of the first three innings, but hit into double plays in each of the next five innings to squander scoring opportunities. Milwaukee tied a National League record with five double plays turned.

The biggest twin killing came in the eighth.

With the Brewers up 9-7, the Mets had runners on the corners and none out when Luis Castillo bounced to Prince Fielder at first base. Fielder stepped on the bag and threw home, nabbing a sliding Brady Clark. Former Mets reliever Guillermo Mota then walked David Wright and Carlos Beltran before Carlos Delgado popped out to right to end the threat.

"It wasn't a good read by Brady. It was a mental mistake on his part," New York manager Willie Randolph said. "He doesn't have to break on contact. You let them have one out."

Brewers closer Eric Gagne pitched a perfect ninth for his third save in five chances and second in as many days.

Milwaukee manager Ned Yost, trying to shake up struggling sluggers Ryan Braun and Fielder, flipped them in the lineup, moving Braun back to third, where he hit most of last season.

Braun had a two-run single, the third hit in 23 at-bats for last season's NL Rookie of the Year. Fielder went 0-for-4 and is in a 2-for-23 slump.

One more rehab start for Gallardo

Brewers right-hander Yovani Gallardo, coming off arthroscopic surgery to repair a lateral meniscus tear in his left knee, is scheduled to make a final rehabilitation start today for Class AAA Nashville.

Brewers manager Ned Yost said Gallardo will then be worked into the Brewers' rotation, but he wasn't sure whose spot Gallardo would take.

In two starts for the Sounds, Gallardo is 0-1 with a 4.82 ERA. He has struck out 11 and walked two in 9 1⁄3 innings.