CHICAGO - Nick Markakis hit a two-run homer and prevented one with a leaping catch in right field, and Nelson Cruz and J. X_Plr Shoes NZ .J. Hardy each added a solo shot to power the Baltimore Orioles past the Chicago White Sox 8-2 Monday night. Markakis was 3 for 5 with two RBIs and two runs, helping the Orioles increase their AL East lead to 7 1/2 games over the idle New York Yankees. Cruz hit his 32nd homer, passing White Sox rookie Jose Abreu for the American League lead. Cruz is tied with Mike Stanton of the Miami Marlins for most in the majors. Bud Norris (11-7) allowed two runs and three hits in seven innings to win his third straight start. Chicago ace Chris Sale (10-3) yielded three runs and eight hits in six innings. He has dropped two straight decisions. Avisail Garcia drove in both Chicago runs. Sale worked out of a jam in the first inning after allowing the first two batters to reach on singles. The left-hander wasnt as fortunate in the second when Hardy stroked a 1-0 pitch into the left-field bullpen for a 1-0 Baltimore lead. The Orioles stretched it to 2-0 in the fifth. Markakis singled with one out and Steve Pearce followed with an RBI double to centre. Cruz led off the sixth with a homer to left. Meanwhile, Norris faced the minimum through six innings. But he quickly found himself in trouble in the seventh after hitting Alejandro De Aza with a pitch and giving up a double to Alexei Ramirez that put runners on second and third with the heart of the Chicago lineup coming up. Abreu, though, flied out to shallow centre and Adam Dunn struck out. It appeared Norris might escape with his shutout intact, but Garcia came through with a two-run single to make it 3-2. When Conor Gillaspie followed with a drive to deep right field, it appeared Norris might suddenly be headed to a loss. But Markakis raced back to the fence and made a leaping grab. The Orioles then broke it open with a five-run eighth. Jonathan Schoop doubled in three runs and Markakis hit a two-run homer. TRAINERS ROOM Orioles: 3B Manny Machado will miss at least another week with a sprained right knee he sustained while taking a swing last Monday. Machado didnt play this season until May 1 because of surgery on his left knee in the off-season. White Sox: CF Adam Eaton (strained right oblique) continues to make progress and the hope is hell be ready to return when hes eligible to be activated from the 15-day disabled list Sunday. Eaton, though, is likely to go to the minors for a rehab stint before then. "I dont know if it would have to be that long, but you would like to see him make sure that he is feeling 100 per cent," manager Robin Ventura said. UP NEXT In the second game of the series Tuesday night, Orioles RHP Chris Tillman (9-5, 3.68 ERA) faces LHP Jose Quintana (6-9, 3.14). Buy Stan Smith NZ .Y. -- The Buffalo Bills will head into the regular season short on experience at quarterback after trimming the roster on Friday. Adidas Falcon Shoes NZ . -- Barry Bonds is all set to return to the San Francisco Giants. http://www.nmdshoesnz.com/adidas-x-plr-cheap-nz.html .C. -- North Carolina State coach Mark Gottfried said his team had a "golden" opportunity to help its NCAA tournament chances.It appears the Dallas Stars will be without goalie Kari Lehtonen for the foreseeable future. Head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed on Sunday that his starting goalie has a head injury and the team will take it day by day. "We know hes not doing that well and we have to make a decision later on (today), but it doesnt look good though," Ruff told reporters. Lehtonen was run over in the crease by Minnesota Wild forward Erik Haula in the third period of Saturdays game in Dallas. Lehtonen fell backwards and hit his head on the crossbar while the impact of the collision knocked his mask off. Buy NMD NZ. The goalie was bleeding from the head and left the game. He was replaced by newly-acquired netminder Tim Thomas, who was making his Stars debut. Speaking after the game on Saturday, Ruff speculated as to the nature of the injury. "The likelihood is its a concussion on just a dirt play. It should be suspended - a fourth liner takes out our goaltender," said Ruff. ' ' '