CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox acquired reliever Scott Sullivan and cash from the Cincinnati Reds for a player to be named in a deal Thursday night between teams that have been exceptionally busy in the trade market.

Sullivan was 6-0 with a 3.62 ERA with the Reds in 50 relief appearances this season. The right-hander struck out 43 in 49 2-3 innings.

White Sox manager Jerry Manuel was excited about bolstering his bullpen.

''Obviously, that's an area where we've struggled,'' Manuel said. ''We've struggled with the bridge person getting us to the last couple of guys down there.''

''A guy of this experience is huge for us at this time. He's a guy that we've been interested in for a long time,'' he said.

Sullivan left a team that began the day 13 games under .500 and joined a club in the thick of the AL Central race.

The White Sox moved into sole possession of first place with Thursday night's 7-3 win over Texas. Chicago is a half-game ahead of Minnesota and one game ahead of Kansas City.

''It will give us a different look and help keep hitters off-balance,'' White Sox general manager Ken Williams said. ''We were fortunate today to acquire someone that we think can help us in a grand fashion down in the bullpen.''

Sullivan was activated from the disabled list on Aug. 7. He'd been out since July 18 because of tendonitis in his right shoulder.

The 32-year-old Sullivan was 37-24 with a 3.91 ERA in 494 appearances in nine seasons with the Reds.

Since firing general manager Jim Bowden and manager Bob Boone on July 28, the Reds have traded away All-Star third baseman Aaron Boone, outfielder Jose Guillen and relievers Scott Williamson, Gabe White and Kent Mercker.