TORONTO (AP) -- Alex Rios hit a three-run homer against his former team and Francisco Liriano earned his first victory with the Chicago White Sox, 7-2 over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night.
Tyler Flowers, Dayan Viciedo, Alexei Ramirez and Dewayne Wise all hit solo home runs as the White Sox matched a season high by going deep five times. Chicago has hit 27 home runs in its past 13 games. The power surge helped Chicago win its first series in Toronto since 2006.
Viciedo and Flowers hit consecutive long balls in the fifth inning, the eighth time this season the White Sox have gone back-to-back.
Play was halted for 4 minutes in the seventh while a fan received medical attention and was taken away on a stretcher. Ambulance sirens could be heard outside the stadium as the fan was carted off, still receiving CPR. There was no word on the fan's condition.
Liriano (4-10) allowed two runs and three hits in 6 1-3 innings to win for the first time since July 6 at Texas, while pitching for Minnesota. The left-hander, who walked one and struck out six, was traded to Chicago on July 28.
Liriano came in 0-3 with a 5.09 ERA in five career games against Toronto, but kept the Blue Jays in check after a two-run, three-hit second inning, retiring 13 straight batters in one stretch.
Jesse Crain got two outs, Brett Myers worked the eighth and Philip Humber finished for Chicago.
Trailing 2-0 on Moises Sierra's second home run, Chicago halved its deficit in the third when Wise hit a one-out drive to right, his fifth of the year and second in two days.
The White Sox took the lead in the fifth when Viciedo led off with his 19th homer and second in two days, and Flowers followed two pitches later with a towering drive into the fourth deck in left, his fourth.
It was the fourth time this season the Blue Jays have allowed back-to-back home runs.
Chicago broke it open with a four-run eighth. After Kevin Youkilis singled and Adam Dunn walked, Rios drilled his 19th home run, connecting off Darren Oliver. One out later, Ramirez launched a second deck homer off Brandon Lyon, his sixth.
Aaron Laffey (3-4) allowed three runs and three hits in six innings to lose for the third time in four starts.
Toronto's Edwin Encarnacion was scratched from the lineup with pain in his left shoulder and wrist after a diving play in the outfield Wednesday. Encarnacion has made just three appearances in the outfield this season.
NOTES: Chicago's last series win at Rogers Centre came when they took two of three in August, 2006. ... Toronto OF Jose Bautista (left wrist) hit in the cage Wednesday and is expected to take batting practice on the field Saturday and Sunday. If all goes well, Bautista could begin a minor league rehab assignment Monday. ... Blue Jays 3B Brett Lawrie (strained right oblique) is expected to begin a rehab assignment at Class-A Dunedin on Saturday and could be activated off the DL in time to return Tuesday when Toronto opens a three-game series at Detroit. ... With Gordon Beckham getting a day off and Orlando Hudson (toe) nursing an injury, Ray Olmedo made his first start at second base since Sept. 30, 2006. Hudson left Wednesday's game after fouling a ball off his left foot. ... Chicago OF Alejandro De Aza was given the day off.
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Sunday, May 19 2013 10:19 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:19:31 GMT
Jake Peavy gave up four runs and four hits over six innings and walked five -- two with the bases loaded -- in a 6-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.
Jake Peavy gave up four runs and four hits over six innings and walked five -- two with the bases loaded -- in a 6-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.
Saturday, May 18 2013 11:05 PM EDT2013-05-19 03:05:01 GMT
Alberto Callaspo hit a three-run homer in Los Angeles' five-run seventh inning, and the Angels beat the White Sox 12-9 on Saturday to end Chicago's four-game winning streak.
Alberto Callaspo hit a three-run homer in Los Angeles' five-run seventh inning, and the Angels beat the White Sox 12-9 on Saturday to end Chicago's four-game winning streak.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:56 AM EDT2013-05-17 12:56:16 GMT
Jeff Keppinger walked with the bases loaded to drive in the go-ahead run - his first base on balls in 141 plate appearances this season - and the Chicago White Sox rallied with three runs in the eighth.
Jeff Keppinger walked with the bases loaded to drive in the go-ahead run - his first base on balls in 141 plate appearances this season - and the Chicago White Sox rallied with three runs in the eighth.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 2:51 PM EDT2013-05-15 18:51:57 GMT
Some big headaches are just days away for CTA Red Line riders on Chicago's South Side. The reconstruction of the south branch is scheduled to begin, along with free shuttle service.
Some big headaches are just days away for CTA Red Line riders on Chicago's South Side. The reconstruction of the south branch is scheduled to begin, along with free shuttle service.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 11:09 PM EDT2013-05-15 03:09:36 GMT
Adam Dunn and Dayan Viciedo homered to back another strong start from Jake Peavy and lead the Chicago White Sox to a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night.
Adam Dunn and Dayan Viciedo homered to back another strong start from Jake Peavy and lead the Chicago White Sox to a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night.
Monday, May 13 2013 11:32 PM EDT2013-05-14 03:32:18 GMT
Rookie Aaron Hicks hit two home runs and made a leaping catch in center field to take a home run away from Adam Dunn in the Minnesota Twins' 10-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Monday night.
Rookie Aaron Hicks hit two home runs and made a leaping catch in center field to take a home run away from Adam Dunn in the Minnesota Twins' 10-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Monday night.
Sunday, May 12 2013 11:23 PM EDT2013-05-13 03:23:10 GMT
Chris Sale pitched a one-hitter after being perfect into the seventh inning, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-0 on Sunday night to avoid a three-game sweep.
Chris Sale pitched a one-hitter after being perfect into the seventh inning, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-0 on Sunday night to avoid a three-game sweep.
Saturday, May 11 2013 11:36 PM EDT2013-05-12 03:36:23 GMT
Mike Trout hit a two-run homer and Jerome Williams pitched into the seventh inning to help the Los Angeles Angels beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2 on Saturday night.
Mike Trout hit a two-run homer and Jerome Williams pitched into the seventh inning to help the Los Angeles Angels beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2 on Saturday night.