SEATTLE — The first-place Tampa Bay Rays acquired reliever Chad Bradford from Baltimore today, bolstering their bullpen with a proven postseason pitcher.

The Rays claimed the submarining right-hander on waivers, then got him from the Orioles in a trade for a player to be named.

The 33-year-old Bradford is 3-3 with a 2.45 ERA this year. The durable reliever has made 47 appearances and thrown 40 1-3 innings.

Bradford has a 0.00 ERA in 17 playoff games spanning 15 1-3 innings — no active reliever has pitched more innings in the postseason without giving up a run.

Bradford has reached the playoffs with the Chicago White Sox, Oakland, Boston and the New York Mets.

Tampa Bay began the day with a three-game lead over Boston in the AL East. The Rays open a series at Seattle on Thursday night, and Bradford is expected to join them Friday.

Bradford signed a three-year, $10.5 million contract with the Orioles in November 2006. He is 34-28 with 11 saves with a 3.31 ERA in 11 seasons.