Gavin Floyd pitches 2 innings in practice game

[March 03, 2010]  GLENDALE, Ariz (AP) -- Gavin Floyd was efficient while Chicago White Sox teammate Daniel Cabrera was wild once again Tuesday during a practice game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Dodgers won 4-2 in a seven-inning game at the spring training complex they share. Both teams play their exhibition openers later this week.

Floyd gave up one hit, two walks and hit a batter. He figures to be the third or fourth starter in Chicago's rotation.

"I want Gavin Floyd to win 20 games," Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen said. "I think he's got the potential to do it."

Cabrera, trying to regain his form, gave up four runs on three hits and three walks in one inning.

Control problems have plagued Cabrera the past two years. He walked 42 and struck out 23 last season with the Washington Nationals and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Cabrera dismissed this performance -- 28 pitches, 12 for strikes -- as only being the first outing of spring training.

"Understand, it's been a while and I didn't do the things I wanted to do," Cabrera said. "I just have to keep working and I'm getting into form now. It's just going back out there and pitching and hopefully doing better next time."

Guillen expressed disappointment in Cabrera's performance. The White Sox are trying to convert the hard-throwing righty into a long reliever.

"To me, he wasn't throwing the ball with confidence. Guillen said. "I don't see him loose on the mound. He's a veteran pitcher who just has to let it go. I don't see that."

"The biggest thing for him is throwing strikes," Guillen said. "It's a big difference between being a starter and a reliever and I think for him, being a reliever gives him a better shot to make the ballclub."

Daniel Hudson, a 22-year-old righty who went 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA in six games for the White Sox last season, pitched two perfect innings and struck out four. He's scheduled to start a split-squad game Saturday against the Chicago Cubs.

"I don't think because he pitched good today he made the team. He's got three or four more outings to continue to show progress," Guillen said. "We're not in a hurry. This kid is not too far away from being in the big leagues."

NOTES: Veteran RHP Freddy Garcia is scheduled to start for the White Sox on Saturday in a split-squad game against the Dodgers. Chicago opens spring training play Thursday in Tempe, Ariz., against the Los Angeles Angels.

[Associated Press]

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