DODGER SCOUTING REPORT / CHICAGO : Sosa Has a Clear Picture on 56th Homer

Sammy Sosa made sure his 56th home run was caught on film.

Sosa homered off a TV camera in center field to add to his major league-leading total and give Chicago and struggling Steve Trachsel all they would need as the Cubs defeated the Padres, 1-0, Wednesday night.

Sosa’s shot with two outs in the fourth came on the first pitch he saw from left-hander Sterling Hitchcock and went an estimated 431 feet. The camera sits on a platform that juts out from the top of the 17-foot permanent wall.

Sosa remained four homers ahead of St. Louis’ Mark McGwire, who hit his 52nd Wednesday night.

The Cubs won for only the ninth time in 39 games and avoided a three-game sweep by the Padres. San Diego lost for the 27th time in 39 games.

Sosa had been two for 14 (.143) lifetime against Hitchcock, with no homers. The homer was the first of only two hits Hitchcock (11-10) gave up in seven innings. Trachsel (5-16) held the Padres to three hits in seven innings.

It was Sosa’s second homer in as many nights and his 13th in 18 games. He had 15 in August. Sosa has 26 career homers against San Diego, the second most against any team. He has 30 against Colorado.

Sosa walked on a full-count in the seventh but was thrown out by left fielder Reggie Sanders trying to take third on Glenallen Hill’s single.

Trachsel struck out six and walked four in his first victory since Aug. 4. Hitchcock struck out nine and walked two.

Terry Adams pitched the final two innings for his 11th save.