LIVE: Quentin RBI gives Sox 8-3 lead over Indians

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Saturday, April 2, 2011
Posted: 10:21 a.m.
Associated Press

After totaling 25 runs and 35 hits in the season opener, it may be difficult for the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians to approach those lofty totals in their second game.

Following a wild outcome to begin 2011, the White Sox on Saturday continue a three-game set with the Indians, who look to build off a comeback from a deep deficit that nearly resulted in a win.

Chicago lived up to the franchise's new motto - "All In" - by jumping out to a 14-0 lead after four innings Friday. Still, the team with a 125 million payroll nearly found a way to lose. The White Sox held on for a 15-10 victory after Mark Buehrle was tagged for four runs in the sixth, and four relievers combined to yield six runs the rest of the way.

"We won. We are pretty good. We started very well. We are hot," manager Ozzie Guillen told the White Sox's official website with a laugh. "Our offense was very good. ... My bullpen was a little shaky today, but that's going to happen."

The offense was anything but shaky, rapping 18 hits. Carlos Quentin, a .243 batter last season, had three hits, including a homer and five RBIs. New designated hitter Adam Dunn hit the seventh opening-day homer of his career and drove in four in his Chicago debut.

"I think it's good for him," Guillen said of Dunn, who's hit at least 38 homers in each of the last eight seasons. "He's coming from a new team and a lot of expectations. All the people in Chicago expect him to do well, and this takes the monkey off his back."

Carlos Santana, making a comeback from a gruesome leg injury that limited the catcher to 46 games in 2010, had three hits and three RBIs for Cleveland. Jack Hannahan and Asdrubal Cabrera each added three hits, and leadoff hitter Michael Brantley and second baseman Orlando Cabrera drove in two runs apiece.

"We made it interesting at the end," Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner said. "That's the mentality of this team, to keep fighting no matter the situation."

To avoid its second 0-2 start in three seasons, Cleveland must find a way to solve Chicago starter Edwin Jackson.

Jackson opened the 2010 season with Arizona, going 6-10 with a 5.16 ERA in 21 starts. After being traded to the White Sox on July 30, the right-hander posted a 4-2 record with a 3.24 ERA in 11 starts.

He defeated the Indians twice, coming within one out of a complete game in a 4-3 victory at Progressive Field on Aug. 31. Jackson, who's also pitched in the AL with Tampa Bay and Detroit, is 7-1 with a 2.67 ERA in 11 career starts against Cleveland.

Carlos Carrasco will try to help even the Indians' record. The right-hander was 2-2 with a 3.83 in seven starts last season, including 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in two starts against the White Sox.

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