The Brewers swept a series from San Francisco and left town with the Giants' second baseman.

That's a pretty good weekend.

The Brewers acquired veteran Ray Durham in exchange for minor-league outfielder Darren Ford and left-handed pitcher Steve Hammond.

Durham will wear uniform No. 5 -- Geoff Jenkins' former number -- and will be available for duty Monday night in St. Louis. The Brewers cleared a roster spot for Durham by shipping utility man Joe Dillon to Class AAA Nashville.

On the surface, this move seems to be a no-confidence vote for Rickie Weeks, the Brewers' starting second baseman and leadoff batter, as well as veteran backup Craig Counsell.

The Brewers won't spin it that way, though.

Durham is the Brewers' best option to hit first in the lineup, but the only way that seems likely is if he plays third base, a spot he's never occupied in the major leagues.

It seems as though the Brewers are bringing him aboard for depth, a left-handed bat (Durham is a switch-hitter with more power from the left side) and the ability to pinch-run and play defense late in games.

Durham is hitting .293 with 3 homers, 22 RBI and a .385 on-base percentage. The first and last numbers represent significant upgrades from Weeks, who is hitting .216 with a .326 on-base percentage.

Durham, 36, is in the final year of a two-year, $14 million contract. It is believed that the Giants picked up part of his remaining salary in order to make the deal.

Ford hit .230 with 2 homers and 27 RBI for Class A Brevard County. Hammond was 7-8 with a 4.09 earned run average in 105 2/3 innings with Class AA Huntsville and Class AAA Nashville.