The Associated Press

PITTSBURGH - The Chicago Cubs got a boost for the National League Central stretch drive, acquiring center fielder Kenny Lofton and third baseman Aramis Ramirez from the Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday night for shortstop Jose Hernandez and two minor leaguers.

The Cubs also get an effective power hitter in Ramirez, who led the Pirates with 67 RBI, without significantly denting their starting lineup.

The Pirates, making their second deal of the day and third in three days, also get minor-league pitcher Matt Bruback and a player to be named. Pittsburgh also gave up a small amount of cash.

Pittsburgh has dealt two regulars and its two top relievers, including All-Star Mike Williams, since Sunday as general manager Dave Littlefield begins to rebuild a team headed for its 11th consecutive losing season. The Pirates dealt left-hander Scott Sauerbeck to the Boston Red Sox earlier in the day.

The Pirates are looking to unload salaries - Ramirez is due to make $6 million next season - and restock their organization with younger, lower-priced players who can reach the majors within a year or two.

"We've got to quit building just to get to .500," Littlefield said.

• Boston acquired left-hander Scott Sauerbeck from Pittsburgh in a four-player trade. The Red Sox also gave up right-hander Brandon Lyon and Double-A right-hander Anastacio Martinez; they obtained Triple-A lefty Mike Gonzalez.

Sauerbeck, 31, is 3-4 with a 4.05 ERA and 0-for-4 in saves this year.

CARDINALS: St. Louis placed right-hander Matt Morris on the 15-day disabled list because of a fractured right index finger. He'll be sidelined three to six weeks.

Morris is 8-6 this season with a 4.16 ERA.

DEVIL RAYS: Designated hitter Ben Grieve will miss the rest of the season because of surgery to remove a rib.

The operation, to take place next week, is part of a program to treat a small blood clot in his upper right arm. He is expected to be ready for spring training.

Grieve, making $5,500,000 this year, hit .230 with four home runs and 17 RBI in 55 games.

BLUE JAYS: Roy Halladay's chance to tie a team record was washed out at Yankee Stadium. Halladay, whose 14-game winning streak is one short of the team record set by Roger Clemens in 1998, will face Chicago today.

Halladay's two losses this year both came against the Yankees.

"I wanted to pitch against the Yankees," he said. "I was set to go."

ROCKIES: Left-hander Denny Neagle was put on the 15-day disabled list so he can recover from inflammation in his pitching arm that forced him to miss 71 games this season. Neagle is 2-4 with a 7.90 ERA in seven starts.

CUBS: Outfielder Tom Goodwin strained his left hamstring Tuesday while running out a double in the third inning against Atlanta. His status is day-to-day.

DODGERS: Reliever Guillermo Mota pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence of alcohol in Glendale, Calif., on April 21. A pretrial hearing is set for Aug. 22.