Cliff Lee's new teammates were so excited to get him, they gave the man responsible for the trade a clubhouse curtain call.

Looking for an ace to bolster their so-so rotation, the Philadelphia Phillies acquired Lee yesterday from Cleveland, marking the second straight year the Indians traded the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner.

When general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. walked through the locker room hours before the defending World Series champions played in Arizona, many Phillies greeted him with applause.

"One of our goals has been to add someone to our rotation that can be a difference-maker," Amaro said in a conference call.

The NL East-leading Phillies gave Cleveland four minor leaguers for Lee and outfielder Ben Francisco. The left-handed Lee is 7-9 with a 3.14 ERA in 22 starts this season after going 22-3 with a 2.54 ERA last year.

Francisco is batting .250 with 10 homers and 33 RBIs.

"I'm going to miss all these guys here, but it's an opportunity for me to help a team that's in first place," Lee said after the Indians lost to the Los Angeles Angels, 9-3, in Anaheim, Calif.

Lee turns 31 next month and his contract includes a $9 million club option for next season.

The Phillies sent Triple-A pitcher Carlos Carrasco, infielder Jason Donald and catcher Lou Marson along with Single-A pitcher Jason Knapp to Cleveland.

Last year, the Indians dealt CC Sabathia, then the reigning Cy Young winner and in the final year of his contract, to Milwaukee.

GIANTS-PIRATES

SAN FRANCISCO GETS INFIELDER SANCHEZ

San Francisco acquired infielder Freddy Sanchez from Pittsburgh, and made it a convenient switch for the three-time All-Star.

The teams announced the trade right after the Giants beat Pittsburgh, 1-0, in 10 innings. Sanchez merely had to change clubhouses to join his new team.

He gave his hugs and handshakes and bid farewell on the visitor's side, then walked some 100 yards to San Francisco's locker room to pull on his new No. 28 jersey and a black Giants cap before being formally introduced.

"It's crazy," said Sanchez, who's unsure when he'll 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.

Sanchez is hitting .296 with six home runs and 34 RBIs, but did not play in this week's series against the Giants because of the knee injury.

ELSEWHERE

Busy Pirates: Pittsburgh sent shortstop Jack Wilson and pitcher Ian Snell to Seattle for shortstop Ronny Cedeno, Triple-A catcher-first baseman Jeff Clement and three minor league pitchers.

Wilson becomes Seattle's third everyday shortstop this season.

Snell was sent to Triple-A at his own request June 25.

Busy Mariners: Seattle acquired right-handed reliever Robert Manuel from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for outfielder Wladimir Balentien.

Seattle designated Balentien for assignment Sunday.

Astros: Houston ace Roy Oswalt has received an injection to treat an irritated disk in his lower back, and could have his next start pushed back.

Oswalt left Tuesday night's game against the Chicago Cubs in the second inning with lower back discomfort.

Twins: Minnesota left-hander Francisco Liriano was scratched from yesterday's start with soreness and swelling in his left forearm.

Manager Ron Gardenhire said the plan is to have Liriano rest for a couple of days and throw a bullpen session this weekend.

Phillies: Philadelphia center fielder Shane Victorino left in the seventh inning last night against Arizona with a left knee contusion.

Victorino, a St. Anthony High alum from Maui, got up slowly after diving to snag Ryan Roberts' sinking liner in the first.