Padres Trade Grant to Braves, Get Lilliquist

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres today traded reliever Mark Grant to the Atlanta Braves for left-hander Derek Lilliquist.

Grant, in his fourth season with the Padres, has an overall record of 19-25 with four saves. He is 1-1 this season with no saves and a 4.85 earned-run average in 39 innings. He appeared in 26 games, allowing 47 hits and 21 earned runs, striking out 29 and walking 19.

The right-hander had his best year in 1989 when he set career bests with an 8-2 record and 3.33 ERA in 50 appearances, all in relief. He was moved to the bullpen early in the 1988 season after losing five of his first six decisions.

Lilliquist, a second-year player, began the season with the Braves but was optioned to Richmond, Va., a Triple A team, last month after a 2-8 start and a 6.28 ERA in 11 starts and one relief appearance. He allowed 75 hits and 43 earned runs, walked 19 and struck out 34 in 61 2/3 innings.

He made five starts for Richmond, posting a 4-0 record with a 2.57 ERA in 35 innings.

Lilliquist was 8-10 with a 3.97 ERA in 30 starts and two relief appearances in 1989, his first year in the majors. He was Atlanta’s first-round selection in the 1987 June draft and the sixth pick overall.

The Padres acquired Grant from the San Francisco Giants in July, 1987, as part of a seven-player deal. He was used exclusively as a starter that year, posting a 6-7 record in 17 outings.

He was signed by San Francisco as a first-round selection in the January, 1981, free agent draft.