Reds add Guardado for bullpen

~ Cincinnati sent a minor leaguer to Seattle.

CINCINNATI -- Trying to bolster their struggling bullpen, the Cincinnati Reds will turn to former All-Star closer Eddie Guardado.

The Reds obtained Guardado and cash from the Seattle Mariners for minor league pitcher Travis Chick on Thursday. The trade came hours after the latest in this season's series of bullpen meltdowns -- blown leads in the 10th and 13th innings of a 6-5 loss at Milwaukee.

"He lives for the ninth inning. He loves the pressure of being in that situation, and we're going to give him that opportunity," Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky said.

The Reds have been one of baseball's surprise teams this season. They began the day two games behind St. Louis in the National League Central despite losing five in a row -- and their bullpen had been a major culprit.

Reds relievers have blown 13 of 32 save opportunities, and have the worst ERA (5.28), most homers allowed (43) and highest opponents' batting average (.292) in the league.

Krivsky was a former assistant general manager at Minnesota, where Guardado was an All-Star for two years. Guardado led the AL with 45 saves in 2002 and was second with 41 in 2003.

Guardado lost his closer's role at Seattle this season, but Krivsky said he'll get the chance to claim the job in Cincinnati. The 35-year-old lefty is expected to join the Reds in Atlanta on Friday.

The Mariners exercised their 2006 option for Guardado for $6.25 million. Seattle sent about $2.5 million to the Reds.

This year, Guardado struggled and was demoted in May after blowing three save chances. Guardado was 1-3 with five saves and a 5.48 ERA, and was serving as a setup man for J.J. Putz.

Guardado had 36 saves with a 2.72 ERA in 58 games for the Mariners last year.

"Eddie had some struggles early on this season that allowed some of our young guys to run the back of the game and they got that job and haven't let go," Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi said.

Guardado had a 3.77 ERA in 19 games since losing his closer role.

The Reds have been shuffling their bullpen, last week designating veteran Chris Hammond for assignment and recalling Brian Shackelford from Triple-A Louisville.

After Wednesday's game in Milwaukee, Shackelford was arrested on suspicion of third-degree sexual assault. The Reds later optioned him to Louisville and recalled pitcher Michael Gosling on Thursday.