Long innings a nice problem for Sox

CLEVELAND — A pattern already seems to have been set, not that the White Sox are complaining.

In Friday’s season opener, starter Mark Buehrle had to sit out extended stretches when the Sox were scoring 4 runs in the third inning and 8 runs in the fourth.

Buehrle lost his edge during those layoffs, and he also admitted to losing some competitive fire pitching with a 14-0 lead.

On Saturday, the White Sox scratched out a run in the first inning and added 4 more in the second to build another commanding edge.

Starting pitcher Edwin Jackson barely survived the bottom of the second inning, yielding 3 runs on 3 hits and a walk while also being stung by third baseman Brent Morel’s 2 errors on the same play.

“One inning (the second), I think he tried just to pitch. He wasn’t throwing the ball like he always does,” manager Ozzie Guillen said. “He put himself in trouble a lot because he couldn’t really command where he wanted to throw the ball. But the last couple of innings, he settled down very well.”

Jackson was at 67 pitches after the third inning, but he hung in there to give the bullpen some protection and wound up going 6 innings, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits.

“It was just a matter of finding my rhythm,” said Jackson, who finished with 99 pitches. “The first couple of innings, I didn’t have too much rhythm. You give up an 0-2 hit and that’s not what you want to do, catching too much of the plate. They took advantage of it. It’s a battle, not a war. Just keep fighting and keep your team in the game. That’s what I tried to do.”

Settling Sale:

Chris Sale appeared in his second straight game Saturday.

The rookie left-hander had much better results than he did in Friday’s opener, retiring all four Indians hitters he faced. Even though Sale also had 2 strikeouts, his fastball topped out at 94 mph, down from a steady 99 in 2010.

In his first outing this year, Sale allowed 2 hits and recorded one out.

Sale was brilliant for the White Sox last season, going 2-1 with a 1.93 ERA and recording 4 saves in as many tries after being drafted in June.

Expected by many to close this season, Sale is being eased into his first full season.

“I think we went a little ahead of the count when we said this kid might be our closer,” manager Ozzie Guillen said. “We were asking him too much. Not demanding, but giving him a job that wasn’t easy to do. Last year we used him a couple of times (closing) and then we got excited.

“But I think we made the right move to make sure we keep this kid and build this kid little by little and do the right thing for him and the ballclub.”

Matt Thornton is the Sox’ closer, but he hasn’t appeared in the first two games.

Pulling teeth:

John Danks had to make an emergency visit to the dentist Saturday morning, but he’s still scheduled to make his first start of the season Sunday.

“I think he has a bad tooth,” manager Ozzie Guillen said. “I expect him to be fine. This kid pitches with all kinds of stuff. He goes out there and he’s a warrior. He goes out there and fights. I don’t think that’s going to stop him.”