"If Alex Rios was hoping to work his way back into the hearts of Toronto Blue Jays fans in this four-game series, that idea went out the window about the time his eighth-inning home run went over the left-field wall.

Rios prevented a bit of history in the White Sox' 4-2 loss by ending Blue Jays lefty Ricky Romero's bid for a no-hitter six outs shy of the achievement.

''Oh, man, now it's going to be crazy,'' Rios said when he was asked how Blue Jays fans will feel about him now.

Rios, whom the Sox claimed off waivers from the Blue Jays last August, has been Public Enemy No. 1 in the series. He had three hits Monday in his return to Toronto, then followed that up with a homer to break up a no-hitter. It was the Sox' only hit.

''I don't even know what it was,'' Rios said. ''I don't know if it was a changeup up or a fastball up. I guess I just put a good swing on it.''

Manager Ozzie Guillen was glad Rios did because the last thing a fragile offense needs is to be no-hit. And Romero, who struck out 12, had the stuff to do it."