Indians Get by White Sox

C.C. Sabathia had more on his mind than baseball Monday night.

“Right now, I’m pitching with a heavy heart,” Sabathia said.

The Cleveland Indian left-hander gave up one run in eight innings in a 5-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox, just hours after attending the funeral of a close cousin.

Sabathia’s cousin, Nathan Berhel, died last week. Sabathia also lost his father in December, and an uncle during spring training.

“I buried a cousin that is not too far from my age this morning,” said Sabathia, who wore his cousin’s initials on his cap.

“It just felt good to go out there and get a win for him and my dad and my uncle. It’s just been crazy this year, but I have to keep going. I have to be strong.”

Sabathia (5-3) gave up four hits and retired 13 of the last 14 he faced, including the last seven. He struck out four and lowered his earned-run average from 2.95 to 2.80 -- second in the American League to Oakland’s Tim Hudson (2.78).

Ronnie Belliard and Casey Blake homered in the first inning, and Victor Martinez had a career-high four hits for the Indians, who moved within two games of the White Sox for second place in the AL Central.