SAN DIEGO -- Padres general manager Kevin Towers didn't have a white flag in his hand as he announced the trade of outfielder Scott Hairston to the Oakland A's on Sunday evening, but it might have been there in spirit.

The Padres lost 7-6 in 13 innings to the Los Angeles Dodgers in front of 30,070 at Petco Park on Sunday afternoon, dropping them to 35-46. Afterward, Towers announced that Hairston had been traded to the A's for minor league pitchers Ryan Webb and Craig Italiano and a player to be named later. Webb will join the Padres in Phoenix on Monday when they open a three-game series against the Diamondbacks.

"We're looking for some good arms, and that's one thing I think we lack in our system is pitching depth," Towers said. "We really didn't want to give up Scotty. He's probably been our most clutch hitter the past couple of years as well as protection for Adrian (Gonzalez). For us, this is more of a move looking forward, beyond this year. We need some arms for us to be successful."

Towers said the player to be named will be one of two pitchers who "could be one of the better players in the deal."

Towers said money was not a factor, although the Padres will save about $400,000. Hairston, who will be arbitration eligible in 2010, is still owed $625,000 of a $1.25 million contract.

Webb, a former fourth-round pick, is a 6-foot-6 right-hander with a fastball that ranges between 90-94 mph. Since moving to the bullpen at Triple-A Sacramento this season, he has been clocked at up to 99 mph and seen improved control, walking seven batters and striking out 30 in 37 2/3 innings.

Italiano, Oakland's second-round pick in 2005, will likely join the Padres' Single-A Lake Elsinore club. Towers said Italiano, who missed most of 2006 with shoulder tendinitis and most of 2007 with a fractured skull, throws 95-96 mph. He has a 5.63 ERA in 16 starts at Single-A Stockton.

Towers said the Padres were mulling another deal for Hairston, who is hitting .307 with 10 homers and 29 RBIs, on Saturday when Oakland general manager Billy Beane called to say he was interested. Hairston, who said he didn't want to be traded, heard that his name had been linked to Philadelphia, the New York Mets and San Francisco.

"You know, those are just rumors until it happens," said Hairston, who was acquired by the Padres in July 2007 from Arizona for reliever Leo Rosales. "It's kind of hard to reflect on my time here, but it's emotional. Life goes on. … I came here and they gave me a chance, and that's all I can ask. I appreciate that and I'll always remember it."

Hairston's departure opens up playing time in a log-jammed outfield. Tony Gwynn Jr. will become the Padres' full-time center fielder. Kyle Blanks, who began in left field, has been taking an increasing number of fly balls in right field during batting practice. Will Venable the team's only true right fielder with Brian Giles on the disabled list, should see more playing time, too. The move also solidifies Chase Headley's standing in left field as he, Blanks and Venable will rotate around Gwynn.