Mets obtain Benson, Zambrano

NEW YORK, July 30 (UPI) -- The New York Mets boosted their pitching staff Friday by acquiring Kris Benson from Pittsburgh and Victor Zambrano from Tampa Bay.

Benson came to the Mets along with minor league infielder Jeff Keppinger for infielder Ty Wigginton, Class AA pitching prospect Matt Peterson and minor league infielder Jose Bautista.

Zambrano and pitcher Bartolome Fortunato came from Tampa Bay for top pitching prospect Scott Kazmir and minor league pitcher Jose Diaz.

Benson, who was 8-8 with a 4.22 ERA in 20 starts with Pittsburgh this season, had been subject of trade rumors for the past month. He has gone 3-1 in his last five starts and has not allowed more than four earned runs in any of those games.