Wood pitches into 3rd inning for Cubs in win

[March 10, 2012]  GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Travis Wood is on target for the regular season. He was off the mark Friday.

Wood allowed a run while pitching into the third inning of the Chicago Cubs' 5-1 win over the rival White Sox on Friday.

Wood walked two and was lifted with the bases loaded with one out in the third inning.

"I threw the ball decent, a little scattered, but it's early," said Wood. Who went 11-10 with Cincinnati the past two years before the Cubs acquired him in a trade in December.

Randy Wells relieved and got Paul Konerko to bounce into an inning-ending double play.

"It wasn't ideal for me, but Randy did an excellent job," Wood said.

Wells pitched 2 2-3 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit.

White Sox starter Chris Sale gave up three runs in three innings, including non-roster invitee Edgar Gonzalez's two-run homer to left.

But Sale was more frustrated with his two-out walk to Junior Lake, a mistake that preceded the homer.

"It goes to show you how much walks really kill you," Sale said. "You get two out, then walk a guy, miss a spot in, and it unravels on you."

White Sox manager Robin Ventura said, "I'm not that concerned. ... We have a long way in spring training. Guys are having good at-bats. We're looking at the big picture of where he's going to be."

Also for the White Sox, Nestor Molina, who was roughed up for five runs in 1 1-3 innings in his previous appearance, pitched two scoreless innings.

"It's nice to follow (the rocky outing) up with a pretty impressive little performance," Ventura said. "It catches your eye."

Cubs catcher Steve Clevenger went 2 for 3.

NOTES: The game between the crosstown rivals drew 10,327 to Camelback Ranch. ... The Cubs sent four players to their minor league camp, reducing their big league roster to 59. They were pitchers Marco Carillo, Trey McNutt, infielder Jonathan Mota and outfielder Jae-Hoon Ha. All four were non-roster invitees. ... Ventura, asked if the White Sox are rebuilding, said, "There are some people probably thinking that. But if you look at our lineup, you got guys who are kind of rebounding from a year that was disappointing. But I don't look at it that way." ... The Cubs visit the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday in Maryvale, then return to Glendale to play the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. ... The White Sox host two split squad games Saturday. They play the Texas Rangers at 1:05 p.m. and the Dodgers at 7:05 p.m. The Sox visit the Colorado Rockies Sunday at Salt River Fields near Scottsdale.

[Associated Press]

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