The Brewers acquired second baseman Felipe Lopez from the Arizona Diamondbacks for two minor leaguers yesterday, giving Milwaukee a much needed threat at the top of the order.

Milwaukee has been without starting second baseman Rickie Weeks after he had season-ending surgery on his wrist in May. Since then, 38-year-old veteran Craig Counsell and rookie Casey McGehee have filled in, but Lopez gives the Brewers a more consistent veteran.

"It's exciting," Lopez said from St. Louis. "It's tough leaving the guys here. At the same time, I'm excited for the opportunity."

The 29-year-old Lopez is hitting .301 with six homers, 25 RBIs and six stolen bases in 85 games in his first season with the Diamondbacks. He can become a free agent after the season.

"Felipe is an accomplished veteran player who gives us versatility at three infield positions," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said. "He has been a very productive player at the top of the order with respect to both batting average and on-base percentage."

Lopez, a nine-year veteran, is expected to join the Brewers in time for their game at Pittsburgh today.

The Diamondbacks get outfielder Cole Gillespie and right-hander Roque Mercedes in the deal. The Diamondbacks are expected to call up Ryan Roberts from Triple-A Reno to take Lopez's place at second base.

GIANTS

S.F. PART OWNER DIES

Sue Burns, a part owner of the San Francisco Giants who was close friends with home run king Barry Bonds, has died. She was 58.

Burns died early yesterday of complications from cancer, the team said. She was diagnosed with the disease July 10 and missed Jonathan Sanchez's no-hitter for the Giants that night — a rare absence from the ballpark.

Giants players and coaches had their annual picnic with Burns at her suburban Atherton home on July 8. Always dressed in orange, Burns was a fixture at the ballpark in the lower-box seats near San Francisco's dugout.

Her husband, Harmon, died in 2006 at age 61. The Burns family was largely responsible for keeping the Giants in the Bay Area in 1992.

PADRES

GONZALEZ IN HOSPITAL

Padres second baseman Edgar Gonzalez remained hospitalized yesterday with dizziness after he was he was hit in the head by a 93 mph pitch by Colorado's Jason Hammel Saturday night.

Gonzalez did not have a skull fracture or a concussion but complained of dizziness and ringing in his ears, San Diego manager Bud Black said.

"They might do the same tests again, sort of a follow up just to make sure," Black said. "There's a lot of good signs."

Black said Gonzalez still does not have 100 percent of his hearing back. Gonzalez's return is uncertain and the team is expected to place him on the DL.

ELSEWHERE

Pirates: Pittsburgh has cut off contract talks with shortstop Jack Wilson and second baseman Freddy Sanchez after the players didn't respond to multiyear offers, increasing the chances the double-play duo will be traded before the season ends.

Sanchez was offered $10 million over two seasons, a deal contingent upon him shelving the $8.4 million he will be owed in 2010 if he makes 600 plate appearances this season. Wilson was offered $8 million over two years — or less than his club option of $8.4 million for next season alone.

Trade: The San Diego Padres acquired infielder Oscar Salazar from the Baltimore Orioles for right-handed pitcher Cla Meredith yesterday.

Meredith was 4-2 with a 4.17 ERA in 35 appearances this season. Salazar played in 17 games this season for the Orioles, hitting .419 with two homers and six RBIs in 31 at-bats.

Rangers: Outfielder Nelson Cruz was scratched from the starting lineup of yesterday's series finale against Minnesota because of a sore right ring finger. He hurt the finger in the ninth inning Saturday diving into first base after avoiding a tag.

Mets: Starting pitcher Fernando Nieve left yesterday's game against the Atlanta Braves after straining his right quadriceps trying to beat out a grounder in the second inning. Braves pitcher Javier Vazquez threw out Nieve in a close play. There was no immediate report on the severity of Nieve's injury.

Nationals: Washington Nationals designated right-hander Julian Tavarez for assignment yesterday and placed pitcher Scott Olsen on the 15-day disabled list with a back injury. Washington also purchased the contracts of right-handers Logan Kensing and J.D. Martin from Triple-A Syracuse.