The first-place Tampa Bay Rays strengthened their bullpen Thursday, claiming relief pitcher Chad Bradford off waivers from Baltimore.
In return, Tampa will send Baltimore a player yet to be named.
Bradford, who has playoff experience, had a 3-3 record and 2.45 earned-run average in 47 appearances with the Orioles this season.
The 33-year-old submarining right-hander hasn't allowed an earned run in 17 post-season contests with the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, Boston Red Sox and New York Mets.
No active reliever has pitched more runless innings in the playoffs than Bradford's streak of 15 1/3 frames.
Tampa Bay began Thursday with a three-game lead over Boston in the American League East division. The Rays open a series at Seattle Thursday night, and Bradford is expected to join them Friday.
In November 2006, he signed a three-year contract with Baltimore worth $10.5 million US.
Bradford is 34-28 with 11 saves and a 3.31 ERA in 11 major league seasons.
Thin PGA field and herd of Canadians featured at national open
Next week's RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey in Oakville, Ont., will feature just four players currently in the PGA Tour's top-20 money earners for 2008.
Austin named CFL's top coach for 2007
Former Saskatchewan Roughriders bench boss Kent Austin, who guided the team to a Grey Cup title last November, was named the 2007 CFL coach of the year Wednesday.
Blue Jays blow it in Kansas City
Toronto Blue Jays starter A.J. Burnett had his longest outing of the season but shortstop David Eckstein made two costly errors, leading to an 8-4 win Friday night for the Kansas City Royals.
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