SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants swept the Pirates on Wednesday, then plucked one of their top players.
The Giants acquired second baseman Freddy Sanchez and made it a convenient switch for the three-time all-star hours after double-play partner and shortstop Jack Wilson was traded to the Mariners.
The teams announced the swap following the Giants’ 1-0, 10-inning victory — so San- chez merely had to change clubhouses to join his new team, which moved a half- game ahead of the Rockies in the NL wild-card race.
“It’s crazy,” said Sanchez, who is unsure when he will make his Giants debut because of a knee injury. “I’d be lying if I didn’t say it’s a little crazy, a little hectic. I’m here for a reason.”
San Francisco sent minor- league pitcher Tim Alderson to the Pirates for the 31-year- old Sanchez, the 2006 NL batting champion.
“Simply put, our long-awaited next move has finally been consummated,” Giants general manager Brian Sabean said. “A kid that has distinguished himself as an all-star three out of the last four years and a batting champ within that time frame. The timing’s great.”
It was the second trade of the day for the last-place Pirates, who also sent Wilson and pitcher Ian Snell to the Mariners for shortstop Ronny Cedeño, Triple-A catcher-first baseman Jeff Clement and three minor-league pitchers.
The Mariners also made another trade, acquiring reliever Robert Manuel from the Reds in exchange for outfielder Wladimir Balentien.
Footnotes.
The Dodgers are keeping ineffective Jason Schmidt in the rotation for now, manager Joe Torre said.
• Astros ace Roy Oswalt received an injection to treat an irritated disc in his lower back and could have his next start pushed back.
Meanwhile, Astros reliever Wesley Wright was out of a hospital after being treated the previous night for dehydration.
• Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano was scratched from his start with soreness and swelling in his left forearm.
• Yankees starting pitcher Chien-Ming Wang underwent season-ending arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder.
• Left-hander Rich Hill was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Orioles, who labeled his injury as “shoulder inflammation” even though the pitcher contends he’s had a torn labrum since the beginning of the season.
The Associated Press
