CLEVELAND (AP) -Ozzie Guillen doesn't understand why Chicago White Sox shortstop Orlando Cabrera thinks the manager doesn't support him.

Cabrera, who has phoned official scorers in the press box on two occasions this season to protest calls that charged him with errors, told the Chicago Tribune he doesn't think Guillen defends him.

``If it happens again, I will call again,'' Cabrera said to the Tribune. ``I don't have to do it with other teams because they always had my back. They don't want to do it here, I can take care of my own business. If you have a problem with what I did, come to me and say something. Don't go to the media to send a message, because he didn't send any message.''

Guillen's reputation as manager who protects his players too often that has led to criticism of him in the past. That's why he's puzzled about Cabrera's comments.

``I protect my players 100 percent, and the reason I've been in trouble almost my whole career as a manager is because of that,'' he said Wednesday. ``I'm the worst guy about calling the scorekeeper. If we see something that's unfair, we'll make the call (up to the press box). We don't mind doing it.''

Guillen would like to put the matter behind the team and focus on maintaining Chicago's lead in the AL Central. He said his door is always open to any of his players.

``I'm not mad,'' he said. ``I wish he would have handled it better. If Cabrera thinks he's not being protected, he's wrong. I'm here for them. If he feels that way, he should let me know.''

Cabrera, a two-time Gold Glove winner, called the press box in Toronto on May 3 and again in Chicago on May 22 to protest errors. The calls were changed on both occasions.

``There's nobody more vocal than Ozzie Guillen in baseball,'' Guillen said. ``That's why I'll take care of a player. I may be wrong or right, but I will give it my best shot. But to make a challenge, I have to feel certain I'm right. I won't do it just to please a player.''

The White Sox acquired Cabrera from the Los Angeles Angels for right-hander Jon Garland in November. Cabrera, who can be a free agent after the season, is batting .242 with three homers, 13 RBIs and one error in 52 games.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.