Quentin's 3-run shot sends White Sox past Texas

[July 24, 2008]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Carlos Quentin hit two home runs, including the go-ahead, three-run shot during a five-run eighth inning, and the Chicago White Sox rallied to beat the Texas Rangers 10-8 on Wednesday.

Quentin's go-ahead homer came on the first pitch from Rangers closer C.J. Wilson, who entered in relief of Eddie Guardado with two on and two out. It was the third multihomer game of the season for Quentin, whose shot in the fifth barely cleared the center field wall.

Octavio Dotel (4-4) pitched a scoreless eighth and Bobby Jenks worked the ninth for his 19th save in 22 chances.

Guardado (1-2) wound up allowing four runs and three hits, retiring only two batters.

Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen missed the rally. His team trailed 8-4 in the seventh when plate umpire Rob Drake called a strike on Nick Swisher that appeared to be outside. Guillen came out to argue and was promptly ejected.

Kevin Millwood, the Rangers' opening day starter, left with two outs in the second with a sore right groin. He got the first two batters out before issuing consecutive walks to No. 9 hitter Juan Uribe and Orlando Cabrera. After a visit to the mound by coaches and a trainer, Millwood was taken from the game.

He allowed three runs and two hits before leaving.

It's not the first time Millwood as had to deal with a groin injury. He spent three weeks on the disabled list in May for the same thing.

White Sox starter Clayton Richard was making his major league debut after getting called up Monday to take the spot of injured starter Jose Contreras (elbow tendinitis).

Richard worked quickly on the mound, but also ran up a high pitch count. He lasted only four innings, giving up seven hits and five runs -- four earned. He walked one and struck out seven, including All-Star Josh Hamilton three times.

Michael Young greeted Richard in the first inning with his eighth homer of the season. The White Sox responded in the bottom of the inning with a three-run home run from Jim Thome, his 19th homer of the season and 526th of his career.

The Rangers tied the game at 3 with two outs in the second. Ian Kinsler doubled to center to bring home Hank Blalock, and David Murphy came around to score from first when White Sox second baseman Alexei Ramirez bobbled the relay throw.

Texas scored twice in the fourth on RBI singles by Murphy and Kinsler to break the 3-all tie. Blalock made it 6-3 in the fifth, driving home Milton Bradley with a sacrifice fly.

Notes: The White Sox had more errors (four) than hits (three) through six innings. ... White Sox 3B Joe Crede missed his second straight game with lower back stiffness. He's experiencing a different pain from a year ago, when he had lower back surgery and played in just 47 games, and could resume swinging Friday in Detroit. ... White Sox C A.J. Pierzynski was given the day off. ... Texas RHP Eric Hurley, who was scratched from his start Monday because of stiffness in the back of his throwing shoulder, is scheduled to pitch Sunday at Oakland. ... Texas C Gerald Laird, on the 15-day DL with a strained right hamstring, went 0-for-2 with a walk in his first rehab game Tuesday for Triple-A Oklahoma. He's expected to play three more rehab games.

[Associated Press; By JENNA FRYER]

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