TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) _ Frank Thomas, slumping this spring after expressing displeasure with his contract, hit a two-run homer in support of Cal Eldred as the Chicago White Sox beat the Colorado Rockies 8-3 Saturday.

Larry Walker homered for the second straight day for Colorado, hitting a solo shot within hours after announcing he would defer $18 million in salary over the next three seasons.

The White Sox got a scare in the sixth inning when starting second baseman Ray Durham tumbled awkwardly while crossing home plate on an RBI single by Royce Clayton.

Durham appeared to be injured as he writhed on the ground, but walked off the field without assistance a few minutes later. He has a mild strain in his lower left hamstring and will be monitored over the next few days.

After Durham limped to the dugout, Thomas hit a two-run homer that easily cleared the 20-foot wall in left field. Thomas, who missed the first six days of spring workouts, also had a single to raise his average to .250.

Eldred allowed three runs and nine hits in seven innings, the longest outing by a Chicago pitcher this spring.

Eldred was 10-2 in 20 starts before elbow problems ended his 2000 season. He had surgery in September and is 4-0 with a 3.27 ERA in his return.

Denny Neagle, who signed a five-year, $51.5 million contract in December, gave up four runs and seven hits in six innings for Colorado. ^Notes: The White Sox have homered in 11 straight games, hitting 20 in that span. ... Rockies LHP Tim Christman, bidding for a bullpen spot, had pitched six scoreless innings before an error and two walks led to two runs _ one earned _ in the ninth. ... Colorado RHP John Thomson gave up two unearned runs and struck out five in 4 2-3innings against Triple-A Charlotte, Chicago's top minor league team. Recovering from shoulder surgery, Thomson is expected to pitch one month at Triple-A Colorado Springs before possibly joining the Rockies starting rotation. He has a 1.29 ERA in five spring games with the big league club.