Toronto Blue Jays Moises Sierra is hit by the ball while running to first base after striking out on pass ball against the Chicago White Sox during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012. Sierra was called out on the play for running outside of the first base running lane. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Aaron Vincent Elkaim)
August 14, 2012 - 9:48 PM
TORONTO - The Chicago White Sox scored three runs in the fifth inning, the third on a throwing error by Toronto starter Henderson Alvarez, to defeat the Blue Jays 3-2 on Tuesday.
The teams have each won one a game half-way through the four-game series.
Chicago starter Jose Quintana (5-2) allowed eight hits, two walks and two runs in 6 2/3 innings to gain the win. Addison Reed allowed one hit in 1 1/3 innings to earn his 21st save.
Alvarez (7-10) allowed seven hits, no walks and three runs (two earned) in seven innings to take the loss. He also made two errors.
Toronto (55-61) went ahead 2-0 in the third. Rajai Davis led off with a double, stole third and came home on Mike McCoy's grounder to Chicago's shortstop.
The White Sox (63-52) grabbed the lead with a three-run fifth.
A.J. Pierzynski led off with a single, moved to second on a one-out single by Dayan Viciedo and took third on David Beckham's fly out to the warning track in right. Alejandro De Aza singled to score a run. Dewayne Wise singled to tie the game. Alvarez threw wildly on a pickoff throw to first base to allow De Aza to score to put Chicago into the lead.
The Blue Jays loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the fifth but Edwin Encarnacion lined into a double play.
The Blue Jays threatened in the seventh when Adeiny Hechavarria doubled with one out and Davis walked. McCoy hit a fly out to deep centre and the left-hander Quintana was removed for reliever right-hander Brett Myers who ended the inning on a line drive to centre by Encarnacion.
The Blue Jays again threatened in the eighth when David Cooper led off with a double against left-hander Matt Thornton. Thornton retired the next two batters before being replaced by right-hander Reed.
Pinch-runner Anthony Gose stole third easily. Reed struck out pinch-hitter Yan Gomes to end the inning.
The Blue Jays scored a run in the first. Davis led off with a single and was forced at second on McCoy's bunt to the catcher.
McCoy took second on a single by Encarnacion and scored on a two-out single by Yunel Escobar.
Notes: Attendance at Rogers Centre was 18,919….Catcher Jeff Mathis was signed to a two-year US$3-million contract extension for 2013-2014 with a $1.5-million club option for 2015. …The Blue Jays signed catcher Yorvit Torrealba to a minor-league deal and he will report to double-A New Hampshire. He will play four games there from Thursday through Sunday before joining the Blue Jays to share the catching with Mathis. …Toronto centre-fielder Colby Rasmus was a late scratch after being in the original lineup. He had not played since Friday because of a groin injury when he hit a pinch-hit single in the ninth on Tuesday. …McCoy started in centre field. ..Right-fielder Jose Bautista (left wrist) continued to do some batting drills and reported no pain but there is still no date set for a return, He has not played since July 16…Left-hander Ricky Romero (8-9, 5.32 earned-run average) will start for Toronto Wednesday against Chicago's Gavin Floyd (8-9, 4.43 ERA)
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012