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Quentin, White Sox hope to split series with Angels

May 15, 2008 - 2:13 PM Chi White Sox (19-20) at La Angels (24-18) 10:05 pm EDT

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) - Carlos Quentin seems to enjoy his new spot in the batting order.

The 25-year-old outfielder will hope to continue that success Thursday when the Chicago White Sox face the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the finale of a four-game series.

Batting in the No. 3 spot for the first time this season, Quentin hit his first career grand slam in the eighth inning to break open a pitcher's duel and lead the White Sox to a 6-1 victory over the Angels on Wednesday.

"It was definitely a good time for (the lineup change); it was good to come through for the team," Quentin said. "I was thinking single up the middle and to drive home some runs. I just put a good swing on it and you saw the results. I just want to give quality at-bats at the plate and help the team win."

Chicago, which snapped a three-game losing skid with Wednesday's win, will send righthander Javier Vazquez (4-3, 4.63 ERA) to the mound. Vazquez yielded four runs and six hits with six strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings during Saturday's 8-4 triumph over the Seattle Mariners.

Anaheim will counter with righthander Jon Garland (4-3, 4.30), who has won three of his last four decisions.

Garland did not receive a decision in his last outing, despite tossing eight scoreless frames in Friday's 2-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. He allowed just four hits and three walks but was outdueled by Rays starter James Shields, who pitched a one-hitter.

The Angels have lost five of their previous seven contests.