White Sox downfall continues in 5-2 loss to Toronto, and La Russa not to blame

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There are still 139 games left on the schedule, but it’s getting dangerously close to tune-up time for the White Sox.

Baseball’s most disappointing team last year with an 81-81 record after back-to-back playoff appearances, the Sox are picking up where they left off in the first month of the new season.

The major difference? Manager Tony La Russa is no longer around to take the bulk of the blame.

It’s still too early to judge his replacement, Pedro Grifol, but White Sox fans are already starting to turn against the rookie manager and another defeat on Monday night has only added to the angst.

Leading the Blue Jays 2-0 in Game 1 of a three-game series in Toronto, the Sox lost a 5-2 decision.

Now at 7-16, the White Sox have lost five straight and 10 of their last 12.

“Everyone is doing everything they can day in and day out to try to improve,” Lance Lynn told reporters. “The only thing you can do is prepare. Hopefully we keep doing that and things turn our way.”

Starting against the Jays at the Rogers Center, Lynn struck out the first two batters he faced in the fourth inning before stepping on Alejandro Kirk.

Toronto followed with 4 straight hits, including Whit Merrifield’s RBI double and Cavan Biggio’s 3-run homer.

“Two rides, they’ll kill you,” Lynn said. “That’s about it. I dropped 4 because of it. They’re gonna haunt you. They’re gonna haunt you and tonight it happened.”

The Blue Jays could have had more against Lynn in the fourth, but center fielder Luis Robert made a spectacular catch to deny Matt Chapman a home run.

Andrew Vaughn put the Sox ahead with a 2-run brace against Toronto starter Chris Bassitt in the third inning, but the lead didn’t hold.

“We’re going to get through this,” Vaughn said. “Baseball is tough, there are going to be streaks where it’s not going well. We just have to keep coming back every day and playing hard.”

After Vaughn’s clutch shot, the White Sox offense was limited to Andrew Benintendi’s single in the fifth inning.

The Sox scored just 15 points during their five-game slide, and 7 came against Tampa Bay on Friday night.

“We have to hire guys, we have to work at bat,” Grifol said. “We have to take our walks when they’re available. When they’re there, you have to take them. You can’t chase out of the area. Big runs are key, not the chase.

“Again, we have to reduce that strike zone. We have to work to be selective and get good shots to hit.”

The Sox are now 2-10 since shortstop Tim Anderson went on injured reserve with a sprained left knee.

The good news is that Anderson has been working out before Monday night’s game and is on his way to minor league rehab.

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