Catch-22 Becomes a Win for the Cubs

CHICAGO — Mark Grace glanced toward center field every once in a while, expecting to see his close friend and teammate Brian McRae.

“There were times when I looked out there and then said, ‘Oh, there’s Doug [Glanville],’ ” Grace said. “It’s been an emotional day. The best way to finish a day like this is with a win.”

That’s what the Cubs got Friday on an afternoon of roster upheaval as Kevin Orie singled in the winning run in the eighth inning to lead short-handed Chicago to a 3-1 victory over the San Diego Padres.

The Cubs were playing with only 22 players after trading McRae and relievers Mel Rojas and Turk Wendell to the New York Mets for outfielder Lance Johnson and two players to be named.

“They told me before the game I had to throw a complete game because we were a little short-handed,” Cub starter Kevin Tapani said.

“It’s kind of like Broadway. The show must go on,” Grace said.

The loss was San Diego’s eighth in its last 10 games.

“They’re trying to get on track,” Padre Manager Bruce Bochy said of the Cubs. “They went on about their business and played good enough.”

With the score tied, 1-1, in the eighth, Grace hit a shot that deflected off pitcher Doug Bochtler (1-5) into shallow left for a double. After Dave Clark was intentionally walked with one out, Orie singled to center to score Grace and move Clark to third.

Ryne Sandberg’s RBI groundout scored Clark with the final run for the Cubs, who won for only the fourth time in 15 games.

Marc Pisciotta (2-0), recalled from triple-A Iowa because of the pregame trade, earned the win by pitching a hitless eighth and ninth.

Is he Rojas’ successor?

“I’m not worried about the closer job here,” said Pisciotta, who was pitching on two hours’ sleep. “I’m just happy to be here. I’ve had enough of Iowa.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

NEXT SERIES FOR DODGERS

WHO: Chicago Cubs

WHERE: Dodger Stadium

WHEN: Monday: 7 p.m., Tuesday: 7 p.m.