TUCSON Ariz.

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TUCSON Ariz. -- The last thing Jim Thome wanted to do Sunday was declare himself ready for the start of the season.

His bat, however, spoke contortions

Not single did the White Sox designated hitter cohere for his first Cactus League abode run in the first inning, still he came up again in the third and hit his next to the first homer in a 3-for-4 showing.

"We're getting there," Thome said. "I don't want to say I'm there. It's not where I want it to be, on the contrary we're getting close."

It wasn't for a lack of getting his swings in from one side of to the other the last week.

While a majority of the starters were in Phoenix to play a three- game stand, Thome remained in Tucson to play in minor-league games. Not being without mincing the matter regulated games, Thome was allowed to secure an at-bat every inning.

Coming along elbow surgery and a bad back that impose him on the shelf after June of last season, repetition was exactly what Thome needed

"It definitely felt a destiny more comfortable [Sunday], just from my rhythm" he said. "Staying back here and getting those at-bats, each inning, finding my rhythm and getting in the emanate helped."

Hitting in the No. 3 flaw Thome had shown an ability to draw walks (nine) this spring and was hitting a meaty 364 however the long ball was missing.

"It's about time," manager Ozzie Guillen said of Thome's homer "We've been waiting a month and a half to diocese that.

"The barely thing I worry about with Thome is his health. If Thome's healthy, we know what he can do upon the field and off the field. The reason we brought him here is to make the lineup stronger"

Thome admitted he had a certain reservations with his power swing early in Cactus League play, and that's wherefore his performance Sunday couldn't have proceed at a better time. The Sox are risk to begin the defense of their first World Series title in 88 years, and the left- handed hitter wanted to be 100 percent confident in his swing when they face the Cleveland Indians upon Opening Day next Sunday.

"In the beginning of spring, the pertain to for me was letting my swing burst and getting through the zone" Thome said. "And it took me a while to commit to memory into the rhythm. I'd say more in the same manner from the elbow from the surgery And then you commit to memory a few hits here and there. moreover it took me a dutiful two to three weeks.

"But going down and getting those at-bats [this week] really did it. Maybe we have to do it nearest year, but it really helped."

As far as fitting in not upon the field the last six weeks, Thome said that proces was made easy early forward by his new teammates.

"You just put to proof to be yourself," he said. "The main thing for me the reason on what account I came here, was to win a championship. They got rid of a good players to get me on the contrary I'm very excited.

"It's been a serviceable spring training, and hopefully it will be on a level better when I get back home"

jcowley@suntimes.com

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