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Sabathia improves to 14-3 against White Sox

Apr 15, 2007 - 10:34 PM CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- Two of the players that wore Jackie Robinson's No. 42 helped the Cleveland Indians win a game in which they managed just one hit.

C.C. Sabathia pitched eight strong innings and Grady Sizemore helped account for both of the Indians' runs in a 2-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox in the rubber game of their weekend series.

Sunday marked the 60th anniversary of Robinson becoming the first black player in major league history.

To commemorate the event, numerous players are wearing Robinson's number on Sunday. Sabathia, Sizemore and Josh Barfield wore No. 42 for the Indians. Jermaine Dye, Jim Thome and Alex Cintron along with coaches Harold Baines and Razor Shines wore No. 42 for the White Sox.

Dye produced Chicago's lone run with a two-out, RBI single in the sixth inning.

But the story was Sabathia (3-0), who improved his record to 14-3 in 22 career starts against the White Sox. The 6-7 lefthander allowed just five hits and struck out a season-high 10.

"It meant a lot that I got to pitch on this day," Sabathia said. "I was just trying to go out there and throw strikes. I had everything working early, but later I had to battle."

"He's a tough pitcher," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said of Sabathia. "Unfortunately, we have to face him a lot."

Joe Borowski pitched the ninth for his fifth save in as many chances.

"The last thing I wanted to do was blow this game," Borowski said.

Sizemore led off the bottom of the first with a double and the Indians failed to get a hit the rest of the way. But Cleveland took advantage of Jose Contreras' lack of control.

Sizemore moved to third on a passed ball and scored on a grounder to short by Trot Nixon in the first inning.

The Indians benefited from three walks and an error in the fourth inning. Contreras (1-2) walked Casey Blake and Kelly Shoppach, Jhonny Peralta reached on an error by Joe Crede and Sizemore walked with the bases loaded.

"Jackie was a big part of the game for what he did and breaking barriers," Sizemore said. "Words can't explain it. You just try to honor him the best you can and wear the jersey with pride."

Contreras left after the fifth inning. Despite allowing just one hit, he walked five and threw 98 pitches.

"It was tough getting loose," Contreras said through an interpreter.

Dye delivered a broken-bat, RBI single to right field in the sixth inning. But with runners on first and third and two out, Sabathia struck out Crede looking to end the inning. Crede slammed his bat to the ground after the strikeout and was ejected.

"We just had no offense today, but Sabathia pitched a pretty good game," Dye said.

The White Sox had a chance to tie the game in the eighth inning as Pablo Ozuna led off with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice by Darin Erstad and advanced to third on a groundout by Paul Konerko. After Dye walked, Rob Mackowiak hit a hard grounder that ricocheted off of Sabathia's left hand and went right to third baseman Casey Blake, who threw to first to get the out.

"I was trying to stop the ball," said Sabathia, who pumped his fist three times as he walked off the field. "I got lucky it hit me and went to Casey. I was fired up, that was a big moment in the game right there."

It marked the first time the Indians have won a game with one hit or less since April 12, 1992 when they defeated Boston, 2-1 despite not getting a hit against Matt Young.

"Nothing shocks us anymore after what we have been through," Sizemore said. "But something like this doesn't happen too often."

The Indians finished 4-2 on their opening homestand, despite having four games against Seattle being postponed because of snow and being forced to play three games in Milwaukee earlier this week due to inclement weather.

"You have to credit (manager Eric Wedge) Wedgie," Sabathia said. "He told us to focus before we went to Milwaukee. He didn't want to hear any complaining. He just wanted us to start playing."