Freddy Garcia looks for his 100th career win when he takes the mound for the Chicago White Sox against the Cleveland Indians this afternoon at U.S. Cellular Field.
Garcia, who went 14-8 with a 3.87 ERA in his first full year with Chicago last season, was
2-0 with a 2.63 ERA in four starts against the Indians in 2005.
The right-hander spent the first 6 1/2 years of his career with Seattle before coming over in a midseason trade in 2004.
Both teams will be looking to recover from Sunday`s season opener, which the White Sox won 10-4 following a nearly three-hour rain delay.
Chicago raised the World Series banner - its first since winning the series in 1917 - before a sellout crowd, but not many fans hung around to see the game conclude at 2:10 a.m. EDT.
In addition to the loss, Cleveland received bad news when ace C.C. Sabathia left the game in the third inning with a strained abdominal muscle. Sabathia, who began 2005 on the DL for the first time in his career with a similar injury, underwent an MRI exam Monday and will likely be placed on the 15-day disabled list.
``It was just the one pitch,`` Sabathia said. ``I don`t know what caused it. I threw the pitch, tried to get it on (Tadahito) Iguchi and I just felt it grab me a little bit.``
The White Sox took advantage of his absence as Jim Thome, Chicago`s big offseason acquisition, hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning and rookie Brandon McCarthy threw three scoreless innings out of the bullpen following the rain delay.
Thome played 12 years with Cleveland and Sunday was the first time he faced his former team. Thome didn`t play the Indians in three seasons with Philadelphia.
``It was really special against the team you played for,`` Thome said. ``The crowd the way they showed up was great. ... I think everyone knows my history in Cleveland, very fond memories. ... It was neat. It brought back a lot of memories.``
Thome tied Cal Ripken for 35th place on the all-time home runs list with 431.
``I look at the scoreboard and it says this guy (Thome) hit more home runs against the White Sox than anybody,`` White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. ``He`s got 18 in this ballpark. Hopefully, he`ll hit another 60. I know if this kid stays healthy, he`s going to do some damage in Chicago.``
Jake Westbrook starts for Cleveland today. He recorded a career-high 15 wins in 2005, but also finished with 15 losses and a 4.49 ERA after going 14-9 with a 3.38 ERA in 2004.
Westbrook struggled against the White Sox last season, going 0-4 with a 5.13 ERA, and Cleveland lost all five games the right-hander started against Chicago.
The Indians are looking for a rare victory against the White Sox. Chicago went 14-5 against Cleveland last season and has won four in a row over the Indians.
``We know we`re much better than this,`` Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said. ``We have to put this one behind us, and we certainly need to use (Monday) to regroup and come back.``
The three-game series concludes Wednesday afternoon.
JT
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