Jenks caps big night for bullpen
CLEVELAND -- Monday was a memorable night for Bobby Jenks.
For the rest of the White Sox' bullpen, it was pretty much same old, same old.
For the Indians, it was a combination of very bad news.
Jenks had to wait awhile, but the burly right-hander held Cleveland scoreless in the 12th inning at Progressive Field to preserve the Sox' 6-3 victory.
In the process, the 27-year-old Jenks earned his 100th career save.
The White Sox' closer is the second-fastest reliever to reach the century mark, needing only 187 career games. Kuzuhiro Sasaki recorded his 100th save with the Seattle Mariners in 160 games.
Jenks was claimed off waivers from the Angels on Dec. 17, 2004. He assumed the closer's role midway through the 2005 season and helped the White Sox win the World Series.
As Jenks showed again Monday night, he's still going strong.
"Honestly, it's probably the best thing that could have happened to me, when the Angels got rid of me,'' Jenks said. "They had a lot of guys in the bullpen, and I'm here.''
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen remembers first meeting Jenks during spring training in 2005. He knew all about the talent, and Guillen also knew about Jenks' checkered past.
"He grew up so quick, on the field and off the field,'' Guillen said. "He's one guy we should feel proud of. Hopefully he'll save 100 more for me.''
The way the Sox' bullpen is rolling, Jenks might get to the 200 plateau in even less time.
Sox relievers delivered 6 scoreless innings after starter Javier Vazquez called it a night against Cleveland. The bullpen pitched 12 scoreless inning during last week's six-game homestand against the Indians and the Angels, and they've allowed only 9 earned runs over their last 48¿ innings.
"With Bobby, he's got some of the nastiest stuff in the game,'' said Boone Logan, who pitched 1½ scoreless innings Monday to get the win. "And then he's got the velocity.
"As for the bullpen, there are two things. One, we want to give the team a chance to win. Two, we want to represent ourselves every time we go out there and show everybody we're one of the best bullpens around.''
Guillen is a believer, and he also is high on his starting rotation. But the Sox' manager still is waiting to see more pop from the offense.
The White Sox loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning against Cleveland starter Paul Byrd and had to settle for 1 run.
They finally came alive in the 12th inning, scoring 3 runs off Indians reliever Scott Elarton.
Orlando Cabrera's single scored pinch runner DeWayne Wise with the winning run, and the Sox tacked on a pair of insurance runs while banging out 17 total hits.
"We need the offense to give the pitchers a break,'' Guillen said. "Our bullpen, that's the biggest reason we are where we are right now. But pitching can't carry us all year long.''
Paul Konerko returned to the lineup after a three-game absence and swung the bat much better while going 0-for-6. Jim Thome also looked better while going 2-for-5 with 2 RBI.
White Sox 6, Indians 3 (12)
On the mound: Bobby Jenks pitched a scoreless 12th inning to record his 100th career save. Jenks is the second-fastest reliever in history to get 100 saves, behind former Seattle closer Kuzuhiro Sasaki. Starter Javier Vazquez pitched 6 innings and allowed 3 runs on 9 hits.
At the plate: Orlando Cabrera was 4-for-6 with 1 RBI. Over his last nine games, the shortstop is batting .342. Jim Thome hit his 10th home run; 5 have been hit vs. Cleveland. Carlos Quentin was 2-for-6 with 1 RBI.
-- Scot Gregor