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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
CLEVELAND (AP) – David Wells awoke with a nasty headache, body
aches and an upset stomach.
|  | | David Wells makes a successful debut for the White Sox, giving up two runs in six innings and picking up the victory. |
But bar-hopping in Cleveland couldn't be blamed.
Wells, weakened by flu-like symptoms that put his start in
jeopardy, pitched like he almost always does against Cleveland,
working six strong innings on Monday to lead the Chicago White Sox
to a 7-4 win over the Indians.
"I'm surprised how well I did today," said Wells, who wasn't
sure what made him sick. "I had a good pasta dinner last night.
Maybe I walked past somebody with a bug. I'm surprised I was able
to pitch. I felt like somebody beat me up for two days."
It sure wasn't the Indians, who managed just four hits in six
innings off the lefty.
Juan Gonzalez homered twice in his first game for Cleveland,
which began its year-long celebration of its 100th anniversary with
a loss to the defending AL Central champions.
"It's disappointing but it's nothing to lose any sleep over,"
Jim Thome said. "We sure wanted to beat them."
Making his debut with Chicago, Wells made sure the only fun
Cleveland fans had came before the game. He limited the Indians to
two runs – both homers – before leaving.
"I was so drained," he said. "I had nothing left."
The left-hander walked two, struck out three and improved to
17-4 in his career against the Indians.
Wells said that during warmups, he was heckled by a fan who made
references to his deceased mother, similar to what happened before
Game 5 of the 1998 AL championship series, when he pitched for the
New York Yankees.
"Some idiot tried to be cute," said Wells, pounded in the
season finale by the Indians last October. "It's a shame that one
guy ruins it for everybody. I expected it, though. You should have
heard it last year when I got beat here. It was the biggest ovation
I ever got. It's a personal thing – them against me."
Magglio Ordonez hit a three-run homer off loser Bartolo Colon
and Paul Konerko had three hits and two RBI for the White Sox, out
to prove that winning the division last season was no fluke.
Chicago, which last year ended Cleveland's run of five straight
division titles, acquired Wells in a disputed trade this winter
from Toronto to give the White Sox a proven ace, some attitude and
a better chance of getting back to the postseason.
And after one game, Wells has the White Sox right on track.
"This was a big step," Wells said. "This was a special day,
being a member of the White Sox and contributing to the win. I
don't see any problem with these guys winning the division."
Keith Foulke pitched the ninth for the save.
Gonzalez hit solo homers in the sixth and eighth innings, and
Russell Branyan also homered for the Indians.
Sandy Alomar, who caught for 11 seasons in Cleveland before
signing with the White Sox as a free agent last winter, received a
warm ovation during introductions from the 455th consecutive
sellout crowd at Jacobs Field.
Alomar bowed, tipped his cap and got a hug from Slider,
Cleveland's furry mascot, as the fans saluted him. Then, the
Indians showed a video of highlights from Alomar's years in
Cleveland.
"That was touching and very classy," Alomar said. "It's
something that I'll remember for the rest of my life."
Ordonez's homer gave the White Sox a 6-0 lead in the sixth off
Colon, tagged for seven runs and eight hits in seven innings.
Ray Durham singled leading off and the Indians had Colon
intentionally walk Frank Thomas to get to Ordonez, who ripped the
first pitch over the wall in left-center.
Gonzalez struck out in his first two at-bats before connecting
off Wells in the sixth. He added another shot to left in the eighth
off Antonio Osuna.
The homer was Gonzalez's 14th homer in 31 games at the Jake,
which was one of the biggest reasons the Indians signed him to a
$10 million, one-year contract in January to replace Manny Ramirez
in right field.
"You've seen what he can do," said Indians shortstop Omar
Viquel. "Juan is the only one who could replace Manny."
Game notes
The game was a rematch of the first game in AL history on
April 24, 1901, when the Chicago White Stockings defeated the
Cleveland Blues 8-2. ... Foulke has converted 13 straight save
chances over two seasons. ... Colon had a six-game winning streak
stopped. ... As part of their centennial celebration, the Indians
chose Hall of Famers Bob Feller and Larry Doby, as well as former
players Andre Thornton, Mel Harder, Herb Score, Lou Boudreau, Rocky
Colavito and Sam McDowell, as honorary captains this season. Five
of the eight _ Colavito and Boudreau didn't attend and the
92-year-old Harder is in a wheelchair – simultaneously threw out
ceremonial pitches during pregame festivities. ... The White Sox
have opened on the road 11 straight seasons. ... Indians All-Star
3B Travis Fryman, who stayed behind in Florida for extended spring
training with a torn elbow ligament, will return to Cleveland and
take grounders and batting practice on Tuesday. He is eligible to
be activated on April 7.
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RECAPS
Chi. White Sox 7
Cleveland 4
NY Yankees 7
Kansas City 3
Baltimore 2
Boston 1
Seattle 5
Oakland 4
Atlanta 10
Cincinnati 4
Montreal 5
Chicago Cubs 4
Colorado 8
St. Louis 0
Philadelphia 6
Florida 5
San Francisco 3
San Diego 2
Los Angeles 1
Milwaukee 0
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