Long balls push Sox to 9-5 victory over Blue Jays
BY DARYL VAN SCHOUWEN dvanschouwen@suntimes.com August 15, 2012 10:32PM
Chicago White Sox v Toronto Blue Jays
Updated: September 17, 2012 1:13PM
TORONTO — Outfielder Dewayne Wise, who made a memory for White Sox fans when he saved Mark Buehrle’s perfect game with a spectacular catch, is turning out to be quite the catch in his second tour on the South Side.
Scooped up by general manager Ken Williams after the Yankees let him go on Aug. 3, Wise had two hits, including a home run, and four RBI in the Sox’ 9-5 victory on Wednesday night. Wise is 6-for-18 with six RBI in four starts.
“It’s a blessing to go from one team that’s in first place to get picked up by another one,’’ Wise said. “That’s what you play for, to compete and try to get in the playoffs. We’re playing well, and the guys are having fun.’’
Adam Dunn hit his third homer of the series, a tiebreaking three-run blast to right as the first hitter to face reliever Brad Lincoln in the seventh, and Dayan Viciedo added a two-run homer to right field against Lincoln four batters later as the Sox won consecutive games at Rogers Centre for the first time since 2006.
Playing left field for the second consecutive night, Wise provided the early offense with a two-run single in the second and a two-run homer in the fourth to produce a 4-0 lead.
“I’m a guy who knows my role,’’ Wise said. “I don’t know how much playing time I’ll get when [Paul] Konerko gets back. I just have to stay ready.’’
Wise’s single came on left fielder Edwin Encarnacion’s diving attempt at a fly ball on the foul line. The ball squirted out of his glove for the Sox’ fourth consecutive single following A.J. Pierzynski, Alexei Ramirez and Viciedo. The homer followed Viciedo’s second hit.
Gavin Floyd (9-9) threw 92 pitches in six innings and got a relatively quick hook from manager Robin Ventura, who wanted to give left-hander Donnie Veal some work after the Sox built a 9-4 lead. Floyd, who struck out eight and walked none, made one mistake, a hanging slider that Kelly Johnson jumped on for a three-run homer that tied the score at 4 in the sixth.
Going back to his 61/3 scoreless innings against the Cubs on June 20, it was only Floyd’s third start with four runs or more allowed. He is 5-2 with a 2.83 ERA over his last nine starts, including three scoreless outings.
With one swing a half-inning later, Dunn erased the tie with the 399th homer of his career and his 34th this season, which leads the majors.
“I’ve felt a lot better the last three or four games,’’ Dunn said. “I feel good. I didn’t care what the pitch was. I just wanted to make sure it was on the plate. I didn’t want to go chasing something on a 2-0 pitch.’’
Veal, in his first outing since being recalled last week, struck out three and walked one in two scoreless innings. Philip Humber pitched the ninth, allowing a leadoff homer to Jeff Mathis.
The Sox (64-52) knew they needed a win to have a chance at winning this four-game series, which concludes Thursday.
The Sox remained three games ahead of the second-place Tigers in the AL Central loss column with 46 to play.
“We’re being competitive every time we go out there,’’ Floyd said. “We’re feeding off that. I don’t know how many guys look at the standings; I don’t. ... Even when we lose, we come back the next day with a great attitude.’’
Orlando Hudson left the game with a bruise after fouling a pitch off his toe in the sixth inning. X-rays were negative.
