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Romero hurls seven frames of one-run ball

The Blue Jays and White Sox continue a four-game set at Rogers Centre on Wednesday with an interesting pitching matchup between Gavin Floyd against Ricky Romero.

Both of the scheduled starters could qualify as having disappointing years so far. For Ricky Romero, it started really well but has since crashed. He owned an 8-1 record on June 22, although he also had a 4.34 ERA.

Yet, the 27-year-old left-hander enters the contest 8-9, and it's been a long nine-game winless streak for Romero, who finished up July 0-6 with a 8.04 ERA.

He's coming off two strong outings, however, firing seven innings in back-to-back starts and most recently holding the Yankees to three runs (two earned) and four hits in a loss.

"When you look at the last three starts, it has predominantly been because of the trust in his fastball and working ahead in the count," Blue Jays manager John Farrell said after Romero recorded his third straight quality start. "He went out there and pitched a solid game for us."

For the White Sox, Floyd will hope to end a losing streak of his own. He's never won (0-3) and has a 8.25 ERA in two starts and three appearances at Rogers Centre.

He'll hope to build off his latest outing against the Blue Jays on July 7, when he possibly had his best outing of the season. He tossed 7 2/3 scoreless innings, holding Toronto to four hits and two walks.

"Honestly, coming out of the bullpen getting started, I didn't feel like I had the greatest stuff," Floyd said after the game. "Sometimes, there's days you focus better and make better pitches."

White Sox: Ventura shakes things up
• Chicago entered Tuesday's contest having lost four of its last six games. So manager Robin Ventura mixed things up a little bit, stacking speed at the top of the lineup in an attempt to manufacture more runs.

Kevin Youkilis was slotted in the No. 5 spot for the first time as a member of the White Sox and Alex Rios was bumped up. Alejandro De Aza led off, Dewayne Wise hit second and Rios in the three-hole. However, don't expect it to last for long.

"We will probably go back to what people are used to when Paul [Konerko] gets back," Ventura said.

• With a single to lead off the fifth inning on Tuesday, catcher A.J. Pierzynski extended his hitting streak to 15 games. It is the longest active streak in the Majors. He also leads all Major League catchers in home runs with 23.

"[I'm] just going out there and trying to enjoy the game and it has been good because we have a good bunch of guys on this team that allow that to happen."

Blue Jays: Torrealba signed to Minor League deal
• The Blue Jays signed catcher Yorvit Torrealba to a Minor League deal Tuesday. Torrealba will report to Double-A New Hampshire on Thursday and play four games before joining the club in Detroit next week.

Torrealba played in 49 games with the Rangers this season, batting .236 and hitting three home runs with 12 RBIs. He last played in a game on July 27 against the White Sox.

"It's an established big league player that has had some success," Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. "Jeff [Mathis] has been handling the bulk of the role right now, him and Torrealba will split the job.

• Outfielder Colby Rasmus was held out of the lineup for the fourth straight game Tuesday with a strained right groin. He did get a pinch-hit single in the ninth inning and could return Wednesday, but Farrell said it likely won't be in the outfield right away.

"We might have to look to get him in a DH slot initially," Farrell said. "Just running him back into the lineup on both sides of the ball right now is maybe a little too aggressive."

• Jose Bautista took dry swings Monday and reported no ill-effects Tuesday. There is still no timetable for his return, although it is an encouraging sign.

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