Thome homers, says he's 'getting closer'
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Jim Thome has been pretty quiet this spring, batting just .182 heading into Saturday's Cactus League game against the Cubs.
"I don't worry about Jim,'' said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. "He's been doing this for many years, and Jim knows what to do to get ready. When you're a slugger and you walk and take pitches, its hard to get to the point where you need to be.''
Thome did have a team-high 10 walks heading into Saturday, and he drew another one in the third inning against Cubs starter Rich Hill.
But Thome swung the bat in the seventh, hitting a deep 2-run homer off former Sox reliever Neal Cotts to lift the White Sox to a 5-3 win.
"It does feel good,'' Thome said. "As you go through spring training, you want to try to have better at-bats. By no means am I where I want to be, but I think I'm getting close.''
Hill climbing: Rich Hill still had some command issues Saturday in his start against the White Sox, but the Cubs' left-hander was fairly pleased after pitching 3¿ innings and allowing 2 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks.
"It was better, but erratic," Hill said. "I think we're going in the right direction; I'm not concerned about anything. This spring training, it's taking a little more time to get everything together. We've just got to go with it and not hit the panic button.''
Hill, expected to be the No. 4 starter, left with a blister on his pitching hand.
The other game: The White Sox played a "B'' game against the Rockies on Saturday, and center fielder Jerry Owens was 1-for-3 as he continued testing his sore right groin.
Owens is scheduled to play a Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks today.
Left fielder Carlos Quentin (sore shoulder) also played against Colorado, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Danny Richar, who has been sidelined with a sore upper back, was 0-for-4.
Aaron Poreda made another positive impression, pitching 3 scoreless innings and striking out five. Poreda was the Sox' first-round draft pick last season.
Cintron update: Cubs infielder Alex Cintron isn't expected to miss any significant time after being hit by a foul ball in the right cheek Friday.
"He probably could have played today,'' Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "He was a little sore. He's fortunate he didn't get hit a little higher because it could have cracked his cheekbone. I think he'll be ready to go tomorrow if we need him.''
Sick bay: Add infielder Pablo Ozuna to the White Sox' growing list of spring flu victims. Ozuna had to leave Saturday's "B'' game against the Rockies after having trouble breathing. Relief pitcher Octavio Dotel is also battling the flu bug, and closer Bobby Jenks and starter Gavin Floyd also have dealt with it this spring.
White Sox 5, Cubs 3
White Sox' record: 9-10
Cubs' record: 6-12
At the plate: For the Sox, Jim Thome's 2-run homer off Neal Cotts with two outs in the seventh inning decided the outcome. Juan Uribe was 2-for-3 and scored 2 runs. Jason Bourgeois was 1-for-2 with 2 walks and 3 stolen bases. For the Cubs, Casey McGehee was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI. Micah Hoffpauir (.486) was 3-for-4.
On the mound: White Sox starter Nick Masset pitched 41/3 innings and allowed 3 runs on 6 hits. Scott Linebrink got the win after pitching 12/3 scoreless innings. For the Cubs, starter Rich Hill allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks over 32
Next: For the White Sox, Gavin Floyd starts against the Diamondbacks today in Tucson. For the Cubs, Carlos Zambrano starts against the Angels today in Mesa.
-- Scot Gregor