No pain, is Sox’s gain

MESA, Ariz. – Carlos Quentin reminded everybody back in Chicago just how dangerous he can be when he’s pain-free.

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

“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 because of 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 Sox 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.”

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.

“If I’m going to worry about fighting for a spot, I’m not going to get better, ever,” Silva 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.