The White Sox no longer can claim they’re not getting the breaks.
Every run they scored Tuesday night in their 4-1 victory over Toronto at U.S. Cellular Field was unearned.
“We’re still somewhat struggling offensively,” manager Jerry Manuel said.
Whatever, the Sox will take it after seeing their four-game losing streak come to an end.
Bartolo Colon was the key, firing his third complete game of the season. No other Sox pitcher has gone the distance this year.
Colon (5-3) needed a season-high 132 pitches to do it.
“I don’t see that as being a problem for him,” Manuel said. “He doesn’t seem to be any different [later in the game]. Plus he gets an extra day [before his next start].”
Colon owed an assist to Carlos Lee, who made a diving catch with two runners aboard in the fifth inning. After Lee gloved Frank Catalanotto’s liner, he fired to second to double off Orlando Hudson.
“I’m really happy with the way Carlos has matured,” Manuel said. “Not only offensively, but defensively. This is some of the best left field he has played for us.”
The Sox scored two runs in the third after Miguel Olivo’s leadoff single.
Tony Graffanino grounded a ball to first baseman Carlos Delgado, who fired to second. The throw hit Olivo’s left hand and rolled into center, putting runners at first and third.
Olivo was thrown out at the plate after Jose Valentin tried to push a bunt past pitcher Doug Davis.
Frank Thomas walked to load the bases. Then Lee earned a free pass on a 3-2 pitch.
Paul Konerko, who entered 3-for-23 in his last eight starts, lined a single off Davis’ left leg, driving in the second run.
The Sox scored twice more in the seventh after Delgado let Valentin’s grounder roll through his legs and Thomas followed with an RBI double.
An inning later, the Sox did something else novel. They stole a base.
Olivo, who swiped 29 bases last year at Double-A Birmingham, got his first career steal in the eighth inning.
That bumped up the Sox’s season total to 11, which ranks third from last in the American League.
Tuesday’s victory brought some joy to a bunch of players who have gotten more boos than cheers lately.
“As bad as it gets at times, this is still a pretty good job,” Konerko said. “But winning’s fun. That’s what we’re here for. And doing good is fun. Until you’re doing that, it’s not the fun you set out to have.
“But just because you’re not winning, it doesn’t mean you have a bad clubhouse. Guys still have to respect each other and not be bitter on one another. We have a good clubhouse.”
Thomas and Lee traded barbs before the game in full view of several reporters.
Thomas said that if they had left the impression that they were sniping at each other, that’s the wrong idea.
“We weren’t fighting,” Thomas said. “That’s crazy.
“I spend more time with Carlos than any player on this team. We mess with each other all the time.”
Colon game-by-game log
DATE SCORE, OPP DEC IP H ER BB K
5/20 W 4-1 Tor W 9.0 9 1 2 6
5/15 W 8-2 Balt W 8.0 5 2 1 5
5/10 W 4-3 Sea W 8.0 6 3 2 4
5/4 L 1-5 Sea L 5.1 9 5 1 2
4/29 L 2-3 Oak L 8.0 6 3 2 5
4/23 L 1-7 Balt L 6.0 7 5 2 3
4/18 W 5-3 Clev W 9.0 9 3 3 3
4/13 W 3-2 Det W 7.0 6 2 2 9
4/8 W 5-3 Clev ND 6.0 6 2 3 6
4/2 L 4-5 KC ND 6.0 4 3 3 2
Tot. 10 starts 72.1 67 29 21 45
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