Braves acquire Downs from Angels

The Atlanta Braves have acquired relief pitcher Scott Downs from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in exchange for pitcher Cory Rasmus.

Downs went 2-3 with a 1.84 ERA in 43 games for the Angels this season. The left-hander made 29 consecutive scoreless appearances from May 5 to July 23.

Originally selected by the Cubs in the third round of the 1997 draft, Downs is 36-35 with 26 saves and a 3.47 ERA in 539 career games (50 starts) with the Cubs, Montreal Expos, Blue Jays and Angels.

Downs, who has never pitched in the postseason, picked up the win in his Atlanta debut later Monday. The Braves overcame blowing a ninth-inning lead to top the Colorado Rockies, 9-8, in 10 innings.

Rasmus had an 8.10 ERA in three relief appearances for Atlanta this year. He went 3-1 with 14 saves and a 1.72 ERA in 37 games with Triple-A Gwinnett this season.

The 25-year-old right-hander was chosen by the Braves in the first round of the 2006 draft. He is the younger brother of Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Colby Rasmus.