LAS VEGAS -- Jeff Marquez is off to an impressive start with his new team.
The right-hander turned in his second consecutive scoreless outing, allowing one hit and striking out two in three innings to help a Chicago White Sox split squad beat the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on Thursday.
Josh Kroeger had three hits and four RBI for the White Sox, who won their second in a row over the crosstown rival Cubs in Las Vegas.
The Cubs fell one run short in a ninth-inning rally after failing to score in the first eight innings.
Acquired from the New York Yankees in November, Marquez is a long shot to become the White Sox fifth starter. Still, he's opening eyes this spring.
"I felt real comfortable out there," said the 24-year-old Marquez, who owns a home in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson.
"I got my sinker working better. My curveball was better again," he added. "Whether I'm in a starting role or in long relief, I'll go where I'm needed."
Marquez went 8-8 with a 4.47 ERA last season at three different levels in the minors. He was obtained in a five-player trade that sent Nick Swisher to the Yankees.
Both starts for Marquez this spring have come against the Cubs. He pitched two scoreless innings in a 13-0 loss on Saturday.
Aaron Heilman continued to make his case for the final spot in the Cubs' rotation with three scoreless innings. He struck out the side in the second, allowed one hit and walked two.
"My changeup is coming along and fastball was strong in the zone," Heilman said. "I didn't feel as sharp as last time, but most misses were good misses."
Heilman was traded twice in the offseason and landed with the Cubs in a January deal with the Seattle Mariners. He was originally traded from the New York Mets to the Mariners in December.
The 30-year-old Heilman went 3-8 with three saves and a 5.21 ERA as a reliever last season.
Notes
White Sox pitchers Bartolo Colon, Jose Contreras and Ryan Braun each threw approximately 45 pitches in bullpen sessions. Colon had offseason surgery to remove bone chips in his right elbow, Contreras is recovering from a ruptured left Achilles' tendon and Braun is rehabbing from elbow surgery. ... It was the third of five spring training games between the crosstown rivals.
