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White Sox don't blow late lead - but still lose

NEW YORK (AP) The Chicago White Sox did not blow another late lead.

They never were ahead of the New York Mets.

Matt Harvey combined with two relievers on a two-hitter, Neil Walker homered off Jose Quintana in the seventh inning and the Mets beat Chicago 1-0 Monday to send the reeling White Sox to their seventh straight loss.

''When we were winning, it seemed like a different guy every day,'' third baseman Todd Frazier said. ''Now it's kind of the opposite: It's a different guy every day not getting the job done. For me, it was me today.''

After starting 23-10 and opening a six-game AL Central lead, the White Sox have lost 15 of 19 and are on their longest skid since dropping eight straight last June 12-19. Chicago was swept at Kansas City last weekend, wasting leads of 5-2 in the seventh on Friday, 7-1 in the ninth on Saturday and 4-2 in the eighth on Sunday.

''A strikeout here or a base hit here and we could have swept the Royals,'' Frazier said. ''It's going to take one thing to get us going, and it just hasn't happened.''

With both teams wearing special Memorial Day uniforms with camouflage lettering and trim, Harvey (4-7) allowed a pair of singles in seven innings, struck out six and walked two to win for the first time since May 8. Addison Reed and Jeurys Familia each threw a perfect inning.

Quintana (5-5) was almost as good but has lost four straight starts for the first time in his big league career. He allowed four singles before Walker led off the Mets' seventh with his 12th homer, a drive over the 370-foot sign in left.

''If we could score, he'd have a better record. Everybody would know his name,'' White Sox manager Robin Ventura said.

Quintana has gone 34 consecutive starts allowing four runs or fewer, tied with the Cubs' Jake Arrieta for the longest current streak in the major leagues.

''Credit to him - he keeps going out there and pitching good games,'' White Sox catcher Alex Avila said.

Harvey entered with a 6.08 ERA and was coming off three straight losses in which he allowed 19 runs and 27 hits. He retired his first 13 batters before J.B. Shuck lined a single to left. Shuck got doubled up when first baseman Wilmer Flores made a diving catch on Brett Lawrie's liner.

''The play of the game for us, no doubt.'' Mets manager Terry Collins said.

Harvey didn't go to a three-ball count until facing Avila in the sixth and was at 70 pitches through six innings, facing the minimum 18 hitters. Harvey pitched into the seventh for the first time this year.

Adam Eaton walked on a 3-2 pitch leading off the seventh and Jose Abreu grounded a single to left on the next pitch. After a mound visit from pitching coach Dan Warthen, Melky Cabrera sacrificed, Frazier fouled out to first and Shuck grounded out.

''Robin put it in my hands, and I didn't do my job,'' Frazier said. ''I got an opportunity less than two outs. I have to find a way to get one of those guys in.''

NOT A HIT

Lawrie was hit on the right hand on the ninth pitch of his at-bat against Harvey in the second and hopped up and down six times as he started up the first-base line. But first base umpire Sam Holbrook ruled he swung for strike three, ending the inning, and Lawrie had a short discussion with plate umpire Carlos Torres before softly tossing his helmet in frustration as he walked away.

TRAINER'S ROOM

White Sox: OF Austin Jackson was not available because of turf toe in his left foot. Ventura hopes he can avoid the DL.

UP NEXT

LHP Steven Matz (7-1), who has won seven straight starts, is to take the mound Tuesday night or New York against Mat Latos (6-1). Because of a short outing caused by his ejection Saturday, Noah Syndergaard will be available in the bullpen for the Mets.

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