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Cubs almost called on outfielder Bogusevic to pitch

LOS ANGELES -- If Sunday's game hadn't ended when it did, outfielder Brian Bogusevic would've switched from left field to the pitcher's mound to finish things up because the Cubs had run out of relievers.

Bogusevic was a pitcher early in his pro career, then converted to the outfield. He did fill in June 7, 2012, in an emergency situation for the Astros, pitching one inning in relief against the Cardinals.

"We were getting blown out and they knew it was coming," Bogusevic said Monday of the 14-2 loss. "They told me at the end of the seventh, beginning of the eighth that I would throw the ninth, so I knew it was coming."

The Cubs and Padres played 12 scoreless innings before both teams exchanged two runs in the 13th. The Padres eventually won, 3-2, in 15 innings.

"Yesterday was different because we weren't getting blown out," Bogusevic said. "If we would've gotten to that point [that he needed to pitch], it would've been a tie game. I don't think I'd need much time to warm up, being loose for five hours."

Does he want to pitch again in a big league game?

"I hope never," he said.

Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. She writes a blog, Muskat Ramblings, and you can follow her on Twitter @CarrieMuskat.
Read More: Chicago Cubs, Brian Bogusevic