Have you considered using a regex as an alternative to CPAN? Something like:

$text = "
Apr 29 12:34:56\n
Apr 30 01:23:45\n
May 1  06:12:34";

$text =~ /(\w{3})\s+(\d{1,2})\s+(\d{1,2}):(\d{2}):(\d{2})/g;
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However, if speed is really an issue, there may be a pack / unpack solution.