09/04/2007 2:45 PM ET
Brewers acquire King to shore up 'pen
Milwaukee to send player to be named to Washington
By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com
MILWAUKEE -- A day after their bullpen squandered a three-run lead and a chance to pull within one-half game of first place, the Brewers added another arm to the mix, acquiring left-hander Ray King from the Nationals on Tuesday.
The Nationals will get a player to be named in the first deal between the two teams since the Brewers acquired right-hander Tomo Ohka for second baseman Junior Spivey in June 2005.
It's a return engagement for King, who was a productive member of the Brewers' bullpen from 2000-02, a span in which the team lost 289 games. The circumstances now are decidedly different, with the Brewers entering play Tuesday 1 1/2 games behind the Cubs in the National League Central and the Cardinals just one-half game behind the Brewers.
Because he was acquired after Aug. 31, King would not be eligible for postseason games should the Brewers make it that far. He posted a 4.54 ERA in 55 games for the Nationals this season and limited left-handed batters to a .161 average (righties hit .328). King and Brian Shouse give Milwaukee two steady lefty options for the final month of the season.
King will wear No. 45 with the Brewers.
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