AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Brunansky’s Homer Sinks Red Sox

Tom Brunansky finally has a moment to savor in this forgettable season for him and the Milwaukee Brewers.

Brunansky, in the throes of a long slump, hit a two-out, two-run homer in the ninth inning Monday night to give the Brewers a 3-2 victory over Boston at Milwaukee.

The loss snapped the Red Sox’s 10-game winning streak and knocked them out of first place.

“That was a great comeback for our club. This is the type of thing we haven’t had for a while,” said Brunansky, who signed as a free agent with Milwaukee after spending most of three previous seasons with the Red Sox.

“Ever since spring training, I haven’t felt comfortable at the plate and it (has) shown,” he said. “I’m trying to help the club. I’m not worrying about my average.”

Brunansky, batting .175, hit an 0-1 slider from Jeff Russell (0-3), whose blew his third save in 29 opportunities this season.

“It happens, it happens,” said Russell, who had streak of eight straight saves snapped. “It was real stupid.”

Toronto leads the Red Sox and New York Yankees by one-half game in the AL East.

*

Chicago 4, Cleveland 3--Frank Thomas, Robin Ventura and Bo Jackson hit run-scoring singles in the eighth inning, giving the Chicago White Sox a come-from-behind victory at Chicago.

The White Sox trailed 2-1 going into the eighth, but Ozzie Guillen drew a leadoff walk from Jerry DiPoto (1-2). After Tim Raines grounded out, Joey Cora walked and Thomas singled in the tying run.

*

Detroit 5, New York 2--Cecil Fielder hit his 26th homer and David Wells earned the victory at Detroit, snapping the Yankees’ four-game winning streak.

Wells (10-6), whose ERA had increased in 11 consecutive starts, allowed one run on six hits over seven innings to snap a six-start winless streak in which he was 0-5. Mike Henneman pitched the last two innings for his 16th save.

Jimmy Key (12-4) worked seven innings, allowing three runs on eight hits, and dropped to 0-4 in five starts at Tiger Stadium since May 11, 1990.

*

Kansas City 12-6, Texas 3-5--George Brett paced a 21-hit attack with four hits and three RBIs against the Texas Rangers in the first game of a doubleheader at Kansas City.

The Royals added 10 hits in the nightcap for the sweep, 12-3 and 6-5.

Brett singled twice, doubled and homered for the 56th four-hit game of his career in the opener, then added a double in the second game. The 21-hit total was Kansas City’s season-high, as was their total of nine extra-base hits.

In the second game, Brian McRae and Wally Joyner had three hits apiece and Joyner added two RBIs in support of Dennis Rasmussen’s first victory the season.