Quentin homers twice as White Sox beat Cubs

MESA, Ariz. - It was bombs away at HoHoKam Park on Saturday afternoon - for the White Sox.

For a team supposedly concerned about its ability to score runs to complement its outstanding pitching staff, it didn't show against the Cubs' pitching.

If the Sox (1-1) hit like they did in a 15-3 win over the Cubs (2-1) in front of 12,712, expect them to be hanging around the playoff picture.

The Sox banged out 18 hits, 5 of them homers. Perhaps the 2 most important came from Carlos Quentin, from whom the Sox are expecting more of the same during the season.

"He's relaxed a little more, enjoying the game," said Sox manager Ozzie Guillen.

The outfielder/DH hit both homers and recorded all 5 of his RBI off starter Carlos Silva, who's liable to be former starter Carlos Silva if he keeps delivering like that (2 innings, 7 hits, 6 earned runs, 2 homers, 13 batters faced).

For those worried about the Sox having a power shortage with their somewhat new-look lineup, it was an encouraging start.

Jayson Nix and reserves Brandon Short, an outfielder destined for the minors, and catcher Cole Armstrong went back-to-back in the eighth inning as the Sox added 4 more runs to an already embarrassing loss for the Cubs, who get to trot out some different pitchers today at Camelback to complete this back-to-back set between the crosstown rivals.

Guillen is hoping he sees a return to form by Quentin, who was having a nice season last summer before he went down with a foot injury a little past the halfway point.

"He picked up right where he left off," Guillen said. "He was on fire."

The Sox, who have banged out enough homers to be near or at the top of the AL in that category for most of the Guillen/Kenny Williams regime, look like they're not ready to relinquish that power-hitting reputation anytime soon.

"Everyone in the lineup can hit more than 20 homers," said Guillen, excepting leadoff man Juan Pierre. "We don't have (Jim) Thome and JD (Jermaine Dye) - we scored 15 today."

Four stolen bases help set up runs, 2 by Andruw Jones, 1 by future catcher Tyler Flowers and 1 by DH Mark Kotsay.

Sox starter Daniel Hudson threw 2 good innings before giving up all 3 Cubs runs in the third, when he hit a batter and delivered a wild pitch.

The Cubs, meanwhile, did little with their bats, and about as much talking afterward.

"This is spring training ... first time out. I'm not too concerned about it," said manager Lou Piniella, especially in reference to Silva's rough outing. "I can see where he gets hit a lot. He throw a lot of strikes."

Piniella suggested Silva needs to vary his location more.

"That's something we can work on during his next throwing session," Piniella said.

Piniella was more preoccupied after the game with the condition of Angel Guzman, the tough-luck pitcher who is one strain away from shoulder surgery.

"He's snake-bit," said Piniella, noting a long string of injuries to the once-promising hurler, and more recently the death of Guzman's brother during the off-season.

Guzman could be looking at going home for a break to be around his supportive family and perhaps make a decision about whether to rehab his arm or opt for surgery. The Cubs are hoping for the former.

"We were counting on this young guy," said Piniella, who will stay at HoHoKam today for a split-squad game rather than accompany the rest of the team to Camelback.

Piniella probably can't be blamed for not going to Las Vegas this weekend for two more with the Sox if they're going to look like Saturday's game. Shortstop Ryan Theriot, outfielder Kosuke Fukodome and catcher Geovany Soto provided what glimmer of offense the Cubs showed in their 3-run second inning.