HR Derby for Raines, Dawson

Tim Raines plans to gloat today to longtime friend Andre Dawson.White Sox leadoff man Raines has as many home runs - two - as ex-Cubsslugger Dawson, who is now with the Red Sox.

"And I hit more last year (16) than he did (13)," Raines joked."I came into the game (Friday) trying to catch him."

Raines' 3-for-5 day ended an 0-for-13 slump to start the season.

"Years ago, I was a guy who stole bases," Raines said. "Nowpeople say, `Maybe he can't run anymore, but he's showing some powerand hits for average.' "

FLAG RAISING: Ozzie Guillen got the honor of raising the 1993West Division championship flag.

The pregame ceremony came after video highlights of manager ofthe year Gene Lamont, MVP Frank Thomas and Cy Young winner JackMcDowell.

PITCHING PLUS: The Sox should be strong contenders in theAmerican League because of their strong pitching. Lamont knows hehas a quality staff but remains modest in his assessment.

"We have good, hard throwers in our starting four, and I surelike their potential," Lamont said. "And it looks to me like ScottSanderson was a great acquisition as our fifth starter.

"I like our pitching and defense. Those were our strengths lastyear, too. We have to be more consistent offensively. We've shownthat already."

MJ P.S.: Guillen called the Windy City Classic and MichaelJordan's performance "a good show for the fans. Thank God MichaelJordan showed up because it made it great for the fans."

Guillen said the media mob trailing Jordan wasn't distracting.

"We take care of that," he said. "We have to deal with themedia, and he does, too."

APRIL STREAK: McDowell will try to start a new April winningstreak today against Red Sox ace Roger Clemens. McDowell had won 12consecutive April games dating to 1991 before losing 7-3 Monday tothe Toronto Blue Jays.

McDowell is 6-6 with a 3.49 ERA lifetime against the Red Sox.He was 3-1 with a 3.26 ERA against them last season.

THE SENOR: Former Sox manager Al Lopez, still fit at 85, wasgiven ceremonial first-pitch honors in his first visit to newComiskey Park.

"This is tremendous," he said of the stadium. "What adifference, and the fans reacted well to it (in attendance)."

Lopez, who managed the team from 1957 to 1965 and again in 1968and 1969, remembered the pennant-winning 1959 preseason when New Yorkwriters asked him in spring training if the Sox would find a way toovertake the Yankees.

"I said we'd figure something out, and we did," Lopez said.

JOHNSON BACK: Center fielder Lance Johnson, who sat out theexhibition game Thursday after being hit on the arm by a pitchWednesday, returned to the starting lineup.