White Sox held to 2 hits in 4-0 loss to Blue Jays

CHICAGO (MCT) — While rookie left-hander Jose Quintana continued his impressive run in place of injured John Danks, the White Sox couldn’t muster enough offense to offset the loss of slugger Paul Konerko for the second consecutive night.

For one of the few times during the Sox’s impressive three-week run, their offense was completely harnessed Wednesday as Brandon Morrow held them to two A.J. Pierzynski singles in a 4-0 Blue Jays victory.

Morrow was the first pitcher to shut out the Sox since the Royals’ Luke Hochevar and two relievers did it May 12.

Morrow (7-3) didn’t allow a runner past first base and was supported by home runs by Jose Bautista and Rajai Davis.

Quintana, meanwhile, pitched well enough to earn another start, which could occur Tuesday in St. Louis when the Sox resume interleague play at National League ballparks for six consecutive games.

White Sox manager Robin Ventura said before the game he isn’t sure how he’ll handle the lineup, especially because Dayan Viciedo has embarked on a hitting tear since shortly before the Sox started interleague play May 18 at Wrigley Field.

Paul Konerko is expected to return from a left wrist procedure well before the Cardinals series, and Ventura wants to keep Adam Dunn and Viciedo sharp despite not having a designated hitter in NL parks.

For the third time in as many major league starts, Quintana allowed two runs or fewer, but this time he was the victim of a lack of support as Morrow showed no signs of a right shin bruise suffered May 30 that put his start in some doubt.

After Pierzynski’s first single in the second, Morrow retired the next 14 batters. He was aided in the fourth when third baseman Brett Lawrie, stationed about 200 feet away from home plate in right field as part of a shift against Dunn, was in the proper position to field a hard grounder and complete the out.

Morrow’s streak ended when second baseman Kelly Johnson bobbled Dunn’s grounder with one out in the seventh, but Morrow struck out Viciedo and induced Alex Rios to fly to right.

After Pierzynski’s second single to start the eighth, Brent Lillibridge pinch-ran for him but was nailed easily on a steal attempt.

The only amusement occurred in the top of the seventh, when Blue Jays center fielder Colby Rasmus glared at reliever Will Ohman after getting hit by a pitch on an 0-2 count to load the bases with two out. Ohman signaled 0-2 and pointed to his head while looking at Ramsus before he was lifted.

Jesse Crain struck out Bautista with the bases loaded to end the threat.