they close out a four- game series with the Chicago

Despite losing two in a row, the Toronto Blue Jays will still be in control of the American League East once they close out a four- game series with the Chicago White Sox this afternoon. Toronto, which has posted back-to-back wins only once since the first week of June, is still 1 1/2 games in front of Baltimore for the lead in the division, with just two weeks remaining before the All-Star Break. Yesterday the Jays made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth inning when they drew to within a single run, but that was as close as the hosts would get in the 4-3 setback. Darin Mastroianni stroked his first home run of the season and plated two of his teams three runs, the other RBI coming from Munenori Kawasaki. Starting pitcher Marcus Stroman made it through 6 2/3 innings before giving way to the Toronto bullpen. The hurler allowed just two runs on a pair of hits and two walks, while striking out six. Dustin McGowan was charged with the loss, his third of the season, after permitting three runs on three hits in just one inning of action. "If you could do things over, you leave him in," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said of Stroman. "But my thinking was, he pitched his butt off, it was kind of uncharted territory, I dont want him to lose the game right there. Thats the way it goes. But you always look back on things like that. I had a plan and it just didnt work." "Its tough, because obviously I want to be out there," said Stroman. "I felt strong but Im also young, so that was Gibbys choice. "Dustin has been great for us all year, so its not like I was mad about coming out of the game. I had 100-percent confidence for Dustin to come in and get that out. Just one of those things and Im sure hell be right back to it." McGowan was charged with giving up a three-run home run by Dayan Viciedo, one of his two hits on the day. Adam Dunn added a pair of hits and two walks as well for a Chicago squad that is fourth in the AL Central, six games below .500 and 8 1/2 games out of contention. Chris Sale was credited with the win for the White Sox as he worked through seven innings, permitting just two runs on four hits, although he did have some issues with his control, issuing five walks. Sale also struck out six on the day. Zach Putnam stepped in late to collect his first save of the season. The Sox now turn their attention toward Jose Quintana, their starter for the series finale today. The left-hander had gone four outings without a win until picking up a much-needed victory on Tuesday versus Baltimore on the road. In that clash Quintana surrendered just a single run on six hits and three walks, striking out eight over the course of seven innings for his fourth win of the season. When it comes to his experience against the Jays, Quintana, now in his third major league season, has a record of 3-1 with a 2.18 ERA in five starts. Going up against the Chicago batting order is former White Sox standout Mark Buehrle. Selected by Chicago in the 38th round of the 1998 draft, the left- hander started his major league career with the Sox in 2000 and remained on the staff until 2011. Now just four wins shy of 200 for his career, Buehrle has struggled of late, last earning a victory against Kansas City on the first of the month. Most recently the Missouri native went up against the New York Yankees on Tuesday, permitting four runs on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings, but even though the Jays eventually came away with the 7-6 win, Buehrle did not factor into the decision. Against his former Chicago team, Buehrle is 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA. Chicago, which won the season series with the Jays each of the last two years, now owns a 2-1 edge in 2014 battles. 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Yet for Switzerland, advancing to the semifinal might be a victory in itself.BARCELONA, Spain - Neymars two-goal performance to help knock Atletico Madrid out of the Copa del Rey showed why Barcelona spared no expense to win the bidding war for the young Brazil striker.With his hard-to-match speed and quick dribbling, Neymar scored from two counterattacks started by Lionel Messi to lead Barcelona to a 3-2 win and into the semifinals on a 4-2 aggregate score on Wednesday.Neymar had an outstanding performance, said Barcelona coach Luis Enrique. He is daring. He provides us with so many things with his goals and his ability to challenge on the dribble.Last season, Neymars first goal in Barcelonas burgundy-and-blue came against Atletico to give Barcelona the Spanish Super Cup, its only title from a disappointing campaign.Now, his 20th and 21st goals of the season have put Barcelona one step closer to another cup final. Only Messi has scored more for Barcelona with 31 goals this season.Barcelona sports daily SPORT splashed the headline Neys Cup on Thursdays front page.The 22-year-old strikers swashbuckling style, however, left no one indifferent.Atletico players bickered with Neymar during the match and openly complained about him afterward.Neymar and Fernando Torres had to be separated after tempers flared as they held a heated argument while leaving Vicente Calderon pitch at halftime. Atletico midfielder Gabi Fernandez earned a second booking during the break for arguing with the referee, and he didnt mince words about Neymar.He has a peculiar way of playing, above all when he is ahead, said Gabi. He always makes gestures that are annoying when he is winning.The signing of Neymar from Brazilian clubb Santos in June 2013 brought Barcelona plenty of problems.dddddddddddd A lawsuit filed by one of its club members over the cost of the transfer led to club president Sandro Rosell resigning in January 2014.Barcelona then paid 13.55 million euros ($18.6 million) to Spanish tax authorities to cover any potential irregularities in its signing of Neymar — which initially cost 57.1 million euros ($74 million).The club has suffered increasing instability since then, and this month new president Josep Bartomeu announced early elections this summer.That said, the benefits of teaming up Messi with Neymar are undeniable.After a season of adjusting to the more physical Spanish league, Neymar has developed into a perfect partner for Messi.Less than a month ago Barcelona had entered crisis mode following a loss at Real Sociedad and the firing of its sports director. Luis Enrique looked like he could be the next to go.But Messi and Neymar have led Barcelona on a seven-game winning streak, including three victories over Atletico, the defending Spanish league champion. Neymar has scored seven times in that stretch.Luis Enrique defended Neymars playing style.Neymars attitude is what it is. He is a player with a lot of self-confidence, the coach said. Thats how he plays. He understands football that way. He likes to challenge opponents with his dribbling. Nobody will change him, and we like to see him that way.Barcelona will face either Villarreal or Getafe in the semifinals. It will also try and catch Real Madrid, one point ahead in the league, and prepare for its Champions League tie against Manchester City next month. ' ' '