Bullpen comes through
CLEVELAND -- The White Sox spent a lot of money trying to fix their bullpen over the winter.
In Thursday's win over the Indians, it looked like a pretty good investment.
After giving up a 3-run double to Casey Blake in his Sox debut Monday, Octavio Dotel bounced back in the series finale and retired Blake in a tough situation.
With the score tied at 1-1 and runners on second and third with two outs in the seventh inning, Dotel got Blake to fly out to center fielder Nick Swisher.
"(Blake's) the type of guy that likes to swing, especially with men on base,'' Dotel said. "So I said, 'Last time he got my fastball, so this time he's going to get sliders.' I just threw all sliders. This guy is ready to swing, so you have to change things against him.''
After Dotel preserved the tie, Joe Crede led off the eighth with a home run. And in the bottom of the inning, Scott Linebrink debuted by retiring the side in order.
"Finally, we got someone out in the eighth,'' manager Ozzie Guillen joked. "It's been two years since any team didn't score on us in the eighth inning. I don't remember the last time we got anyone out in the eighth.''
The Sox signed Linebrink to a four-year, $19 million deal to resolve that problem.
"It's nice to get that first one,'' Linebrink said. "There were certainly some jitters coming into it, being with a new team, in new ballparks, different hitters. So yeah, it definitely feels good to get this first one away, and hopefully the first of many.''
Lineup change: After going with the same starting lineup for the first two games against the Indians, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen made a change Thursday.
Carlos Quentin made his Sox debut, going 1-for-4.
Quentin started in left field, and Nick Swisher moved to center. Alexei Ramirez, a major-league rookie with seven years of experience in his native Cuba, started in center field the first two games of the season and was 1-for-8 with 4 strikeouts.
"Ramirez has had a tough time,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said. "It's not easy for him, for anyone facing a couple guys running for the Cy Young (Cleveland starters C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona). I'm going to give him a break and he'll be back in the lineup in Detroit.
"That doesn't mean I'm going to give up on him, but I think Quentin needs some playing time. I like the way Ramirez is playing. He's played a good center field."
Owens watch: Jerry Owens (partial right adductor tear) is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, but the center fielder's return is still up in the air.
Manager Ozzie Guillen said Owens needs to go on a minor-league rehabilitation assignment before rejoining the White Sox.
"He has to come back here 100 percent,'' Guillen said. "I don't want him to be here playing every other day because he's sore. We have plenty of guys here that can cover that situation. When he comes back, we'll make the decision what kind of move we'll make with the roster."
Scouting report
White Sox vs. Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park
TV: Channel 9 today; Channel 32 Saturday; ESPN2 Sunday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The Sox' Jose Contreras (0-0) vs. Nate Robertson (0-0) today at 12:05 p.m.; Gavin Floyd (0-0) vs. Dontrelle Willis (0-0) Saturday at 2:55 p.m.; Mark Buehlre (0-0) vs. Justin Verlander (0-0) Sunday at 7:05 p.m.
At a glance: After losing two of three to open the season at Cleveland, the White Sox move on to Detroit to face a Tigers team that added Miguel Cabrera, Edgar Renteria and Willis during the off-season. That didn't prevent Detroit from dropping three straight to the Royals to open the season. Cabrera was scratched from Thursday's game with a pulled left quadriceps and is day to day. The Sox were 11-7 vs. Detroit last season (6-3 on the road). Jermaine Dye is a lifetime .389 hitter against Robertson with 5 home runs and 8 RBI.
Next: Minnesota Twins at U.S. Cellular Field, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
-- Scot Gregor