American League Roundup : Brett, in the Swing, Homers Again in a 9-2 Win

Dick Howser has seen the productive bat of George Brett from both sides of the field, but the Kansas City manager says he has never seen the All-Star third baseman in better hitting form.

Brett had four runs batted in Monday night for the second time in three games, and the Royals routed the Texas Rangers, 9-2, at Kansas City.

“I’ve been here since 1981 and this is the best I’ve seen him swing the bat,” said Howser, who managed the New York Yankees in 1980.

Brett, also homered for the fourth consecutive game. Hal McRae and Dave Leeper, who was recalled from the minors Sunday, each added a pair of RBIs.

“He’s doing the whole ball of wax--driving in runs, hitting to all fields. You know he is hitting best when he is hitting opposite field home runs with authority,” Howser said.

Brett has hit five home runs and driven in 11 runs in his last six games. He hit seven home runs and had 21 RBIs in 34 at-bats this year against Texas.

Brett’s three-run homer in the sixth inning was his 21st of the year and gave him four or more RBIs in a game for the eighth time this season.

Willie Wilson had three singles, three runs scored and three stolen bases for the Royals.

Charlie Leibrandt (13-6) won for the seventh time in eight decisions.

Jeff Russell (1-4), obtained from the Reds in the Buddy Bell trade, took the loss.

Toronto 4, Minnesota 3--George Bell homered for the fourth consecutive game and added a pair of doubles at Minneapolis.

Bell hit his 27th of the season in the sixth inning off Bert Blyleven (12-13).

Doyle Alexander (13-8) picked up the victory, but Toronto’s Tom Henke gave up a two-out, run-scoring single to pinch-hitter Mickey Hatcher in the ninth. Henke had not allowed an earned run in 18 innings since he was recalled from the minors, but struck out Roy Smalley to end the game for his seventh save.

Chicago 7, Boston 6--Dennis (Oil Can) Boyd showed up for this game at Chicago, but didn’t figure in the decision. Greg Walker hit a solo home run with one out in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the White Sox the victory.

Boyd was involved in an altercation with teammate Jim Rice after his last start and was fined when he failed to show up at the ballpark the next day.

Walker’s 17th homer of the season came off reliever Bob Stanley (6-6). Bob James (6-5) won in relief.

Carlton Fisk led off the White Sox eighth with his league-leading 33rd homer to tie the game, 6-6.

Cleveland 4-3, Milwaukee 3-8--In the first game at Cleveland, Jerry Willard hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Indians the victory. Andre Thornton hit two home runs for Cleveland.

Charlie Moore singled home the tie-breaking run during a three-run eighth inning that gave the Brewers a split of their doubleheader.

Milwaukee’s victory in the second game snapped a four-game losing streak and also ended Cleveland’s five-game winning string. The Indians swept a doubleheader from Milwaukee on Sunday.

Detroit 6, Seattle 3--Juan Berenguer pitched seven strong innings and got support from Darrell Evans, who hit his 29th home run, and Lou Whitaker, who also drove in two runs at Seattle.

Berenguer (3-3) gave up one run on four hits in seven innings and struck out eight.

Chuck Cary pitched 1 innings and departed after Jack Perconte’s RBI single. Willie Hernandez relieved Cary and gave up a run-scoring double to Phil Bradley before getting the final out for his 27th save.

Chicago 10, Houston 4--Steve Engel won his first game in the major leagues and hit a three-run homer as the Cubs won at Houston.

Engel (1-2) walked three and struck out four. His first complete game was the first for the Cubs since June 30 and the first in 50 games.

Kevin Bass hit a two-run homer in the eighth for Houston, his 12th of the year.