MESA, Ariz. (AP) -Carlos Quentin reminded everybody back in Chicago just how dangerous he can be when he's pain-free.

Quentin homered on his first two at_bats and drove in five runs Saturday, leading a White Sox split squad to a 15-3 victory over the Cubs in the first of five spring exhibitions between the intracity rivals.

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``There really wasn't any time where there wasn't any pain (last season),' said Quentin, who was limited to 99 games and 21 homers due to plantar fasciitis in his left foot.

``I took a month off (after the season) and it was still sore,' Quentin added. ``In December, I was able to do a lot of explosive movements. That was exciting. You want to be able to train so you can perform during the season.'

The White Sox certainly need him to perform after they opted not to keep longtime sluggers Jermaine Dye and Jim Thome. Although the Sox had 18 hits and five homers Saturday, they expect to be more of a running team this season.

Quentin, who had 36 homers and 100 RBIs in 2008 despite missing September with a broken wrist, and Paul Konerko are the team's only proven power hitters now.

``As far as being in the middle of the lineup with them looking for me to do more, I want to stay mentally tough enough to not let that affect me,' Quentin said. ``I just need to stay on the field, and I feel confident that will happen.'

Both his two-run homer in the first and his three-run shot in the second came off Carlos Silva, who allowed six runs on seven hits in two innings.

Acquired from Seattle for Milton Bradley with two years and $25 million left on his contract, Silva is trying to earn one of two available spots in the Cubs' rotation. The right-hander was 5-18 with a 7.01 ERA in his two seasons with the Mariners.

``If I'm going to worry about fighting for a spot, I'm not going to get better ever,' he said. ``Today wasn't a very fun day for me. There's a lot of stuff to keep working on.'

Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano, playing for the first time since arthroscopic knee surgery prematurely ended his disappointing 2009 season, made a diving catch in the second inning but also booted a routine single for an error and went 0 for 2 at the plate.

``It's great to play with no pain,' he said. ``Now I need some more games to work on my defense and my offense.'

Soriano had 20 homers last season after averaging 36 the previous seven years. Manager Lou Piniella has dropped him from leadoff to No. 6 in the lineup.

``If I stay healthy, I'll have no problem putting up good numbers,' Soriano said. ``The most important thing is trusting my knee.'

NOTES: LHP Mark Buehrle, a workhorse for the White Sox over the last decade, will skip a start to reduce wear and tear on his arm and body. He pitched Friday and isn't scheduled to go again until March 15. ... After saying Friday he expected to use Xavier Nady at DH this weekend, Piniella said Saturday that Nady would get a little more time to recover from Tommy John surgery. ... White Sox OF Ken Williams Jr., the son of the team's GM, entered the game in the sixth inning and went hitless in two at_bats. He played at Class-A last year and was called up from minor league camp just for this game.