The Atlanta Braves made a move to bolster the bullpen acquiring left-hander reliever Scott Downs form the Los Angeles Angles in exchanges for minor leaguer Cory Rasmus.
Downs has compiled a 1.84 ERA in 43 appearances for the Angels this season holding opponents left-handed hitters to a .196 batting average and .255 on-base percentage. Right-handed hitters have batted .286 with a .385 on-base percentage against him.
Rasmus has compiled a 1.37 ERA in 37 relief appearances with Triple-A Gwinnett this season.
The Braves have lost lost lefty relievers Jonny Venters and Eric O’Flaherty to Tommy John surgery so the move is not unexpected.
Atlanta is currently comfortably ahead in the National League East by 8 1/2 games over the the Washington Nationals with a 60-45 record.
