AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Brett Hasn’t Forgotten How to Cycle

George Brett hasn’t lost his touch.

Brett, who has been on a spree since the All-Star break, hit for the cycle Wednesday night at Toronto to carry the Kansas City Royals to a 6-1 victory over the Blue Jays, their fourth victory in a row. Brett singled in the first, tripled in the third, doubled in the fifth and hit his sixth home run of the season in the seventh. It was the second time he has hit for the cycle.

Brett, 37, extended his hitting streak to 15 games, but it is in the 14 since the All-Star game that he has been really hot.

In those 14 games, Brett is 28 for 58 (.483), including 12 doubles and four home runs. The Royals, striving to climb out of the cellar in the American League West, are 9-5 in the 14 games.

Brett’s slugging percentage for the 14 games is .759. He has raised his average to .303.

The defeat dropped the Blue Jays into a tie with the Boston Red Sox for first place in the AL East.

“I thought I’d give it one shot for the home run,” Brett said. “But when the count reached 0-and-2, I was just trying to make contact.

“You would think after 17 years I would know that I’m not a home run hitter. All I know is I hit it good.”

The drive cleared the center-field fence.

“I remember in the other one back in 1979,” Brett said. “I hit the home run in the 16th against Sammy Stewart to beat Baltimore. I remember (Baltimore Manager) Earl Weaver was really upset.”

Andy McGaffigan went five innings in his first start in four years to win it.

Boston 2, Milwaukee 0--All the Red Sox really needed to end their slump, which had reached 15 defeats in 20 games, was to pitch Roger Clemens with an extra day of rest.

Clemens (13-5), who complained of a tired arm last week, pitched a three-hitter at Milwaukee and the Red Sox ended a four-game losing streak.

Carlos Quintana accounted for both runs with a home run in the second inning. It was enough for Clemens, who did not permit a runner past second base.

On July 3, the Red Sox had a 4 1/2-game lead over Toronto when Clemens, then 12-3, pitched against Minnesota. Clemens gave up one earned run in seven innings, but an error by left fielder Tom Brunansky allowed three runs to score and the slump began.

This was Clemens’ first victory in July. On the 14th, he had a 1-0 lead at Kansas City and left after seven innings, complaining of a tired arm. The Red Sox lost and decided to give Clemens extra rest.

Cleveland 6, Chicago 1--Bud Black pitched a three-hitter and sent the Indians home from their long trip only a half game out of third place in the East.

Black (9-5) struck out eight and retired 22 of the last 24 he faced. His performance helped drop the White Sox four games behind Oakland in the West.

“We finished 6-8 on the trip,” Black said. “I knew I had to win because we have to stay in contention.”

Detroit 4, Baltimore 3--Larry Sheets had the key hit in the victory over his former teammates.

With the score tied, 2-2, in the eighth inning at Detroit, Sheets hit a two-run home run and the Tigers handed the Orioles their second defeat in a row.

Just before Sheets hit the home run, relief pitcher Mark Williamson struck out Cecil Fielder, the major league home run leader. Fielder’s at-bat had begun against loser Bob Milacki (7-4), but Williamson came in after Fielder hit a long foul into the seats.

Tony Phillips opened the inning with an infield hit. Sheets hit a 3-and-2 pitch for his sixth home run.

Minnesota 6, Seattle 0--One of the few bright spots for the Twins this season has been the development of rookie right-hander Kevin Tapani.

Tapani, coming back from a shin injury, gave up five hits in 7 2/3 innings at Minneapolis to improve his record to 10-5. Tapani missed two turns after being hit in the shin by a line drive.

Tapani was one of the players obtained from the Mets in the trade for Frank Viola.