TORONTO—Addison Reed wasn’t about to let another win slip out of Jose Quintana’s grasp Tuesday.All three of Reed’s blown saves this season have come in games started by Quintana, including two in the past month as Quintana suffered through a five-start winless stretch.Quintana worked 6 2/3 innings for his first win in more than a month, Reed earned his second four-out save of the season and the White Sox held off the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2 Tuesday night for a rare victory at Rogers Centre.
“It kind of meant a little more,” Reed said of his 21st save in 24 chances. “I was trying to get [Quintana] the win today. It was nice to settle it up for him.”
The AL Central leaders won in Toronto for just the fourth time in 20 games dating to 2007.
“It was good for us, a big win,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said.
Quintana (5-2) allowed two runs and eight hits to win for the first time since July 5 against Texas.
“He’s a tough kid,” Ventura said. “He pitched great.”
Brett Myers got one out in the seventh, Matt Thornton retired two batters in the eighth and Reed ended the inning by fanning pinch hitter Yan Gomes with a runner at third.Ventura called the four-out save is “something you don’t normally do,” but Reed had no problem handling the job.
“The longer I’m out there, the more fun I have with it,” Reed said. “Anytime I can go out there for four outs, I’m more than happy to do that.”
The Blue Jays have lost 12 of their past 16.Ventura juggled his lineup, moving Alex Rios into the third spot, shifting Adam Dunn from third to cleanup and dropping Kevin Youkilis from second to fifth. Dewayne Wise hit second.Ventura said the changes were an attempt to decrease his team’s reliance on home runs, but the result was a lineup that had just seven hits, all singles.
“I was just happy to piece it together without actually hitting a home run,” Ventura said.
Toronto struck quickly against Quintana, with Yunel Escobar hitting an RBI single in the first. The Blue Jays added one more in the third when Rajai Davis doubled, stole third and scored on Edwin Encarnacion’s groundout.The Sox took the lead with a three-run third, starting with RBI singles from Alejandro De Aza and Wise. De Aza then scored from third when pitcher Henderson Alvarez overthrew David Cooper on a pickoff play at first.
“When I’m on base, I try for any chance to get to the next base,” De Aza said. “I took a good, good jump, I read the ball very well. I didn’t think there was going to be a play.”
The error was the second of the game for Alvarez.
“That’s just one of those that’s a gift,” Ventura said. “We’ll take it.”
Toronto loaded the bases with one out in the fifth but Encarnacion lined out to Youkilis at third, who threw to second to double off Davis and end the inning.
NOTES—When Toronto rookie Moises Sierra broke his bat fouling off a ball in the third, the jagged broken barrel flew into the seats behind the third base dugout. The bat landed in an aisle and no one was hurt. Sierra broke another bat when he grounded out in the eighth. … Blue Jays OF Colby Rasmus (right groin) was scratched from the starting lineup and replaced by Mike McCoy. Rasmus delivered a pinch-hit single in the ninth and was replaced by pinch runner Omar Vizquel. … Paul Konerko (concussion) rode an exercise bike Tuesday, his first activity since going on the seven-day DL last week. … Toronto signed C Jeff Mathis to a two-year, $3 million contract with a team option for a third year and signed C Yorvit Torrealba to a minor league deal. Torrealba will report to Double-A New Hampshire. … Farrell said OF Jose Bautista (left wrist) felt no pain after swinging and hitting off the tee Monday. Bautista has not played since July 16. … Blue Jays RHP Brandon Morrow (strained left side) allowed three hits in 4 2/3 scoreless innings in a rehab start at Double-A. He walked none and struck out six. … Actor Charlie Sheen, in town to play in Joe Carter’s celebrity golf tournament, took batting practice before the game and threw out the first pitch.