ChiSox Snap Jays' Win Streak

Chris Singleton was going to cross the plate, with or without both shoes on.

Singleton scored the eventual game-winning run in the seventh inning, and nearly lost one of his shoes in the process, as the Chicago White Sox snapped the Toronto Blue Jays' seven-game winning streak with a 6-5 victory Saturday night.

With the White Sox trailing 5-3 in the seventh, Mark Johnson started the comeback with a one-out single. One out later, Ray Durham walked and Singleton followed with a single to score Johnson.

The relay throw from second baseman Tony Batista was close, though Singleton clearly had the throw beat.

"My left shoe started to come off around third base," Singleton said. "I have an air cast on for my ankle sprain, and I thought I was going to lose it."

But the shoe stayed on, and Singleton kept charging.

"I didn't care if I had to go in like Bruce Lee (barefoot), I was going to make it," Singleton said. "But I'm glad the shoe didn't come off."

Chicago trailed 5-3 after Batista hit his 12th homer in the sixth.

"To come back the way we did ... we blew the lead, but kept fighting," Singleton said. "I think the fans are starting to believe in this club."

Scott Eyre (1-0) pitched one inning of relief for the win. Bob Howry got the last three outs for his 16th save in 19 chances.

Shawn Green's fifth-inning RBI double extended his hitting streak to 22 games, highest in the AL this year. Green went 1-for-4 with a walk.

Escobar allowed six runs and four hits, tying his season high with five walks in 6 2-3 innings.

After falling behind 3-0 in the second, Escobar retired 14 of the next 15 he faced.

"At the beginning, I was pushing myself too much," Escobar said. "I feel I did much better later in the game."

RBI doubles by Carlos Delgado ad Green closed it to 3-2, and the Blue Jays knocked Chicago starter John Snyder out of the game in the sixth.

Tony Fernandez walked and Darrin Fletcher singled before Sean Lowe came in for Snyder. Batista then hit Lowe's 3-1 pitch over the left-field wall for his 12th homer.

In Snyder's first start since June 30, he allowed four runs on eight hits in 5-plus innings. He had been optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on July 1, where he was 3-0 in three starts.

Snyder said he tired from the heat, but warm conditions are better than the alternative.

"The heat got to me, I can't lie," Snyder said. "But this beats Triple-A any day of the week. I worked out some mechanical problems down there, so I don't have any hostility about being sent down."

Wildness cost Escobar three runs in the second. After Carlos Lee doubled to lead off, Paul Konerko was hit by a pitch. Greg Norton drew a walk to load the bases and Mark Johnson also walked to force in a run.

"I think he struggled with his control, but his stuff was good and he had a chance to win the game," Toronto manager Jim Fregosi said. "But that didn't happen."

Mike Caruso then grounded into a fielder's choice, scoring Konerko to make it 2-0, and one batter later, Singleton's sacrifice fly scored Norton to put Chicago up 3-0.

Toronto came back with a run in the third on Delgado's RBI double.

With two on and none out, Homer Bush tried to score on Willie Greene's single to right, but was cut down by Magglio Ordonez's one-hop throw to the plate. White Sox catcher Johnson held on to the ball after a hard collision with Bush. One out later, Delgado's double made it 3-1.

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