TORONTO — Pitching only a few days after the birth of his daughter, starter Adrian Houser gave the White Sox 6⅓ strong innings that set the stage for the 4-2 rubber-match victory over the Blue Jays.
Houser, 2-2 with a 2.27 ERA in six impressive starts since signing a one-year deal with the Sox last month, returned to the roster Sunday after going on the paternity list to welcome his daughter, Holland Kay, to the world last week.
He cruised through Toronto’s lineup until the fifth inning, when he yielded an RBI single to Bo Bichette, who knocked in another run in the seventh after a leadoff triple by left fielder Alan Roden ended another workhorse performance by Houser.
He allowed seven hits, walked three and struck out four to contain a formidable Toronto lineup, exiting the game with the Sox trailing 2-1.
For three innings, Blue Jays starter — and 2011 Sox draft pick — Chris Bassitt cruised past his former team, which didn’t muster a hit until shortstop Chase Meidroth’s single to lead off the fourth inning. Meidroth later scored on Luis Robert Jr.’s groundout.
The Sox tied it up in the eighth on a bases-loaded grounder by Andrew Benintendi that was bobbled for an error by Jays reliever Jeff Hoffman, and Miguel Vargas followed with a two-run double.
Manager Will Venable called on rookie flamethrower Grant Taylor to close out the ninth, and his first career save earned him a postgame beer shower from teammates only two days after his first career start as the opener in the Sox’ series-opening win Friday.
“I realized while I was up there [in the bullpen], like, oh, this is a save opportunity,’’ the laid-back Taylor said. ‘‘This is pretty cool.”
Before the comeback, the Sox had been 0-38 in games in which they trailed after seven innings.
“It’s tough, but that’s what grinding is, and that’s what these guys are here to do,” Venable said.
Houser’s wife, Megan, son Ronald and the newborn were all doing well back home near Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“I think I had a little extra ‘dad strength’ today,” Houser said.
Palisch back to Birmingham
Left-hander Jake Palisch was optioned back to Double-A Birmingham after giving up two runs and three hits in one inning in his major-league debut Saturday.
The 26-year-old Texas native and Stanford grad is among 16 rookies who have cycled through the Sox’ clubhouse this season and among 10 who’ve made their major-league debuts this year.
“A couple of unlucky breaks, but I’m proud of myself for, one, getting to this point, and, two, being able to work through a couple of tough at-bats and get the first one under the belt,” Palisch said. “It was a lot of fun, and it’s something I’m going to remember and cherish forever.”
Popular vote
Outfielder Mike Tauchman missed a third consecutive game after tweaking a groin muscle while running to the plate during the doubleheader last week against the Cardinals. Venable said Tauchman would’ve been available off the bench and should be back in the lineup soon.
As of last week, Tauchman improbably was running third in fan voting for the All-Star Game among American League designated hitters despite mostly playing right field and missing significant time with a hamstring injury.