White Sox stuck in a hole

Chicago can thank Wells for latest loss

Chone Figgins successfully avoids Ramon Hernandez's tag for an insurance run in the eighth inning; Figgins hurt his right hamstring on the play. (lisa blumenfeld/Getty Images)

Vernon Wells drove in three runs, Marco Scutaro homered, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat visiting Chicago, 5-2, yesterday, handing the White Sox their season-high fourth straight loss.

"It's frustrating," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "All of a sudden, in one week, we forgot how to hit, how to catch the ball, how to run the bases, how to pitch. That happened quick."

A Joe Crede error led to three unearned runs and Chicago's struggling offense sputtered against righthander Jesse Litsch, putting just one runner in scoring position.

The White Sox have scored only six runs in their last four games and, at .235, have the American League's lowest team batting average.

Litsch (4-1) gave up two runs and five hits in 7 1/3 innings for Toronto, which has won three straight after losing eight of nine.

Angels 3, Orioles 1 - Jon Garland pitched three-hit ball for eight innings and Gary Matthews Jr. drove in two runs as Los Angeles beat visiting Baltimore.

Only four Orioles reached base against Garland (4-3), who allowed one run and retired 18 of his last 19 batters. It was the first time he got through the seventh since his Angels debut April 1, when he went eight innings in a 9-1 win at Minnesota.

Francisco Rodriguez pitched a perfect ninth for his 12th save, breaking a tie with Baltimore's George Sherrill for the major league lead.

Twins 4, Tigers 1 - Craig Monroe hit a two-run homer off Justin Verlander and Brian Bass picked up his first major league win in relief of injured starter Scott Baker, leading host Minnesota.

Michael Cuddyer also drove in two runs for the Twins, who have won four straight. Curtis Granderson homered for the Tigers.

Royals 4, Indians 2 - Billy Butler's single broke a tie game and keyed Kansas City's four-run seventh inning, leading the Royals in Cleveland.

C.C. Sabathia (1-5) took a shutout into the seventh before the Royals strung together six hits against the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner and three relievers.

Rangers 6, Athletics 3 - A.J. Murray made the most of his chance, allowing two earned runs in 5 1/3 innings and earning the win for visiting Texas a day after being called up from the minors. David Murphy hit a three-run homer and Chris Shelton added a solo shot for the Rangers, who have won four straight.

Cubs 9, Cardinals 3 - Ted Lilly worked seven solid innings, recorded his 1,000th strikeout, and added his second career extra-base hit in leading Chicago to victory in St. Louis.

Mike Fontenot hit a three-run homer and had a career-best four RBIs for Chicago, which won for only the third time in nine games.

Diamondbacks 10, Mets 4 - Brandon Webb became the majors' first seven-game winner and Augie Ojeda drove in a career-high six runs as host Arizona won.

Starting in place of injured second baseman Orlando Hudson, Ojeda entered with two RBIs. He hit a two-run single in the second, a two-run double in the fifth, and a two-run double in the eighth.

Dodgers 12, Rockies 7 - James Loney homered and drove in six runs in Denver as Los Angeles extended its winning streak to eight.

Padres 7, Marlins 2 - In Miami, Jake Peavy won for the first time in more than three weeks and Tadahito Iguchi hit the go-ahead two-run double to help San Diego defeat Florida.

Mike Jacobs homered and Jeremy Hermida had three hits for the Marlins, who have dropped four of five.

Giants 3, Phillies 2 - Bengie Molina singled in the go-ahead run in the 10th inning to lift visiting San Francisco.

Chase Utley hit his major league-leading 13th homer and Geoff Jenkins had a solo shot for the Phillies, who had won nine of 12.

Astros 6, Brewers 2 - Pitcher Brandon Backe and Michael Bourn hit back-to-back homers in a five-run fifth inning as Houston prevailed over visiting Milwaukee.

Braves 9, Reds 1 - Jo-Jo Reyes gave up one run in 5 1/3 innings in his 2008 debut, and Atlanta broke open a close game with a six-run seventh to win at home.

Nationals 9, Pirates 8 - Cristian Guzman matched a career high with six RBIs, including a tiebreaking three-run double in the sixth inning, as Washington held off visiting Pittsburgh.