White Sox remain in downward spiral

TORONTO -- The Chicago White Sox couldn’t ask for much more from their pitchers right now. After a winless trip, however, their hitters have a lot to answer for.

Dustin McGowan outpitched Javier Vazquez in an entertaining duel, and Matt Stairs homered to help the Toronto Blue Jays beat the slumping White Sox, 1-0, Monday night for a four-game sweep.

Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan walked the bases loaded in the ninth inning but got Pablo Ozuna to ground into a 1-2-3 double play to end the game, earning his fifth save.

“It was a heartbreaker,” White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen said. “Everybody got excited a little bit because we finally got something going and all of a sudden, the double play ends it.”

Blue Jays pitchers have a major league-best 1.02 earned-run average since April 26, helping Toronto win five in a row after losing eight of nine. Chicago is seven for 61 (.115) with runners in scoring position in the last nine games.