CHICAGO -- White Sox starter David Wells didn't even make it through the first inning, leaving Friday's game against the Cubs with back spasms after facing five batters in the shortest outing of his career.

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He allowed two runs -- one earned -- and three hits, and didn't get any outs. His previous shortest outing was April 14, 2000, when he lasted one inning against Seattle.

White Sox third baseman Jose Valentin left the game in the bottom of the first inning with a sore right hamstring. He's listed as day-to-day.

Wells has a history of back problems stemming from two herniated discs. He's been getting extra treatment since spring training and hadn't had back trouble this season, though he missed his May 28 start with a strained left groin.

But it was clear from the start of the game that something was wrong with Wells, who committed two errors with his first two batters. Eric Young led off with a bunt that Wells fielded but his throw to first skipped in the dust, and Young took second.

Miguel Cairo then laid down what should have been a sacrifice bunt, and Wells skipped that one in the dirt, too.

He then walked Sammy Sosa to load the bases. Pitching coach Nardi Contreras went to the mound to talk to Wells, who squatted several times and twisted his torso as if trying to stretch out his back.

After a few minutes of discussion, Contreras went back. Wells then promptly gave up consecutive RBI singles to Ron Coomer and Rondell White.

That brought out White Sox manager Jerry Manuel. After a few more minutes of squatting and twisting, Wells left the field and Sean Lowe relieved him. Wells was booed by the crowd -- evenly divided between White Sox and Cubs fans -- as he walked to the dugout.