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Cabrera, White Sox pull away from Indians

May 27, 2008 - 4:37 AM By Todd Krepop PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- Bobby Jenks' 100th career save capped the latest impressive performance by the Chicago White Sox's bullpen.

Orlando Cabrera's go-ahead single in the 12th inning propelled the White Sox to a 6-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Monday night.

Jenks recorded his milestone save in his 187th appearance to become the second-fastest closer in the history of the majors to save 100 games. Only former Seattle Mariner Kaz Sasaki did it quicker saving 100 games in his 160th game.

"It's a nice honor getting there in the first place," Jenks said. "This means a lot."

"Hopefully, he can save 100 more with us," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said.

Chicago's bullpen pitched six scoreless innings as the White Sox (28-22) increased their lead to 5 1/2 games over the defending American League Central Division-champion Indians (23-28).

"The bullpen has been terrific," Guillen said. "They have been unbelievable. There are a lot of reasons why we are where we are right now, but the bullpen is the main reason."

The White Sox's bullpen extended the game long enough to give its offense a chance to break through in the 12th, working out of jams in the eighth and 10th innings to extended their scoreless streak to 18 innings.

Nick Swisher led off the 12th with a base hit to center field off Scott Elarton (0-1), who was making his first relief appearance since September 6, 2003. Alexei Ramirez, who ignored a bunt sign, followed with a base hit to right past a surprised Indians' infield as pinch runner Dewayne Wise went to third.

"He did it on his own," Guillen said. "He made me look smart, but he was about two seconds away from being in (Class AAA) Charlotte."

Cabrera, who was not around to talk to reporters after the game, hit the first pitch he saw from Elarton into right field to give the White Sox the lead.

"We need his offense," Guillen said about Cabrera. "Hopefully, he will become the Cabrera we traded for."

Chicago tacked on two more runs on Carlos Quentin's RBI groundout and Brian Anderson's RBI double.

"It wasn't the way I had it written up," Elarton said. "I just needed to make better pitches."

Boone Logan (2-1) retired the four batters he faced to pick up the win, and Jenks worked a scoreless 12th - inducing Jhonny Peralta's crucial double play - to pick up his 13th save in 15 chances.

"I only need 500 more to catch (Trevor) Hoffman," Jenks joked.

Cleveland squandered opportunities to win the game in the eighth and tenth. The Indians had runners on second and third with one out but failed to score as Asdrubal Cabrera and Grady Sizemore struck out.

In the tenth, Cleveland had the winning run on third and two outs, but Logan struck out Kelly Shoppach to end the threat.

"We need to do a better job with runners in scoring position," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "We need to do a better job with less than two outs and a runner on third base. I think what we are seeing are guys trying to do too much."

A.J. Pierzynski's RBI single in the seventh tied the game at 3-3, and Cabrera hit a two-out double off starter Paul Byrd to end his night. Pierzynski entered the game in a 1-for-20 slump.

Trailing, 3-1, the White Sox cut into the deficit on Jim Thome's solo shot in the sixth. Thome blasted Byrd's first pitch deep into the left-field bleachers for career home run No. 517.

Byrd yielded three runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings and still remains one win short of 100 for his career.

Peralta and David Dellucci each hit solo home runs off Javier Vazquez, who gave up three runs on nine hits in six innings. The righthander struck out two and walked two.