Pierre drives in tiebreaking run for White Sox
TORONTO — Juan Pierre's ninth-inning infield single drove in the tiebreaking run and the Chicago White Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 on Thursday night.
The White Sox, who had won just two of their previous 12 games in Toronto, posted their 13th victory in the last 19 overall.
Pierre went 2 for 4 with two RBIs and extended his hitting streak to 11 games.
Jesse Crain (2-1) pitched one-third of an inning for the win and Sergio Santos finished the ninth for his eighth save in nine opportunities.
Former Blue Jays outfielder Alex Rios reached on a throwing error by third baseman John McDonald to begin the ninth, moving to second when the ball sailed into the seats.
After A.J. Pierzynski struck out, Rios went to third on reliever Marc Rzepczynski's wild pitch. Omar Vizquel struck out but Gordon Beckham was hit by a pitch and stole second before Pierre hit a grounder down the first base line. Unable to get to the bag in time, Blue Jays first baseman Juan Rivera tried a flip to Rzepczynski but threw the ball away and was charged with an error as two runs scored.
Rzepczynski (2-1) allowed two runs, none earned, in one inning.
Yunel Escobar homered, his fifth, for the Blue Jays, who have lost three straight and six of nine.
Blue Jays right-hander Brandon Morrow didn't allow a hit through the first four innings, setting down 11 straight at one stretch.
Chicago broke through in the fifth, using three singles to score the game's first run. Hits by Pierzynski and Vizquel put runners at first and second for Pierre, whose two-out single through the right side scored Pierzynski from second.
Toronto tied it in the sixth when Escobar hit a leadoff homer to center.
Morrow allowed one run and four hits in seven innings, walked two and struck out five.
Alexei Ramirez doubled to open the eighth against reliever Jason Frasor, and advanced to third on Carlos Quentin's grounder in front of the plate. After Paul Konerko grounded to third, Rzepczynski came on to face Adam Dunn, who struck out on three pitches.
Dunn went 0 for 4 with four strikeouts, dropping his average to .186. He is 0 for 33 against lefties this season.
Toronto chased right-hander Phil Humber when Corey Patterson hit a two-out single in the eighth. Crain came on and walked Jose Bautista intentionally after Patterson stole second on a 2-1 pitch that missed outside. Rivera ended the inning by grounding to short.
Humber worked a career-high 7 2-3 innings, allowing one run and six hits. He walked one and struck out three.
NOTES: Blue Jays LHP Jesse Carlson (shoulder) had surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff Thursday and will miss the rest of the season. Carlson has not pitched for Toronto this year. ... Toronto RHP Jesse Litsch (shoulder) is scheduled to see doctors in Florida on Friday after feeling soreness while throwing on flat ground. Litsch went on the 15-day DL May 20. ... Chicago IF Mark Teahen (strained oblique muscle) ran the bases and took part in batting practice before the game, but will need a minor league rehab assignment before being activated, manager Ozzie Guillen said. ... The Blue Jays will go with closer by committee for the time being, manager John Farrell said, with Frank Francisco, Jon Rauch and Octavio Dotel all sharing the role. Francisco has two losses and a blown save in his past three appearances.