13°c Light rain showers
18°c Cloudy with sunny breaks
The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
Jeff Samardzija pitched three-hit ball for Cubs in 5-1 win over Rangers
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The hard work is paying off for Jeff Samardzija.
Samardzija scattered three hits over five scoreless innings for the Chicago Cubs in a 5-1 victory over a Texas Rangers split squad Saturday.
Samardzija (2-0) struck out three and walked one.
"It's exciting," he said. "I worked real hard in the off-season and I want to keep the positive momentum going. The onus is off my shoulders because of all the days of the season, only one day kicks it all off," he said about being the opening day starter. "It's nice because (I) don't have to go out and wow them for a job. I'm progressing and getting better, which is nice. Everything has to be in check and under control. I'm enjoying the step-by-step process in the spring."
After allowing a leadoff single to Elvis Andrus in the first, Samardzija retired the next eight Rangers in a row.
"Unfortunately, I spent a fair amount of time here in Triple-A," he said. "I know the mound and I know the locker room; it's always a live, rowdy atmosphere. It's a good (place) to get the feel of the season."
The Cubs were unable to capitalize on Nate Schierholtz's double that led off the second, but they took a 1-0 lead after Steve Clevenger opened the third with a double and Darwin Barney hit a one-out RBI single.
The Cubs increased their lead to 2-0 on Starlin Castro's sacrifice fly later in the third.
Scott Hairston opened the fourth with a homer to left that gave the Cubs a 3-0 lead.
The Cubs increased their lead to 5-0 in the fifth on RBI singles by Dioner Navarro and Brian Bogusevic.
The Rangers narrowed the Cubs' lead to 5-1 in the sixth when Craig Gentry opened with a triple and scored on Mitch Moreland's RBI groundout.
Losing pitcher Nick Tepesch allowed five hits, struck out two and walked one over five innings for the Rangers.
Reliever Blake Parker struck out the side for the Cubs in the bottom of the ninth.
NOTES: Clevenger was the lone player in the game to get two hits. ... The Cubs are 10-10 in spring training games here since 1993.
More Baseball
- Back to Top
- Return to Baseball
More Baseball
(1 of 41 articles for today)
Cabrera, Alonso lead Padres to 2-1 victory against Nationals.
9:47 PM 0SAN DIEGO - Everth Cabrera singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth against Jordan Zimmermann, and Yonder Alonso homered ...
Poll
Most Popular Baseball
- Fish thrust into eye of storm for opener
- Goldeyes general glowing
- Darvish's arm getting a workout
- Goldeyes send pair of players packing
- Goldeyes sign rookie pitcher, release Osuna
- Goldeyes 8 Wesmen 4
- Fish prepping for opener in Texas
- AL Capsules
- Blue Jays' Brandon Morrow sharp - except for 2 homers by Robinson Cano in 7-2 loss to Yankees
- Blue Jays' Mark Buehrle loses to Yankees and Hiroki Kuroda again, 5-0
- Goldeyes general glowing
- Goldeyes release pair of pitchers
- Fish prepping for opener in Texas
- Fish thrust into eye of storm for opener
- Blue Jays bust out in Boston
- Goldeyes send pair of players packing
- Goldeyes sign rookie pitcher, release Osuna
- Goldeyes hit road for 16-day swing
- Elbow surgery for Blue Jays pitcher
- Manitoba at the bat
- Goldeyes' hurler living the dream, even in nightmare of first pro outing
- Goldeyes general glowing
- Goldeyes release pair of pitchers
- Rift repaired, Little League and family of founder Carl Stotz collaborate on museum exhibit
- Goldeyes release Kendall after three seasons
- Trial where ex-wife wants Dodger divorce settlement thrown out ends; ruling expected in summer
- Back at ballpark after being hit by line drive, pitcher JA Happ says 'I feel really fortunate'
- Fish release Kendall to catch on elsewhere
- Marlins-Twins game postponed by a day due to bad weather; Minnesota has 4th washout in 9 days
- Goldeyes stocked with Canadians, eh
- Rockies INF D.J. LeMahieu works his way back to the big leagues, LHP Francis goes on 15-day DL
- Goldeyes release pair of pitchers
- Rockies INF D.J. LeMahieu works his way back to the big leagues, LHP Francis goes on 15-day DL
- Jays finally punch back
- 2013 Goldeyes schedule
- Marlins-Twins game postponed by a day due to bad weather; Minnesota has 4th washout in 9 days
- Happy campers
- Goldeyes' hurler living the dream, even in nightmare of first pro outing
- MLB suspends, fines umpires after acknowledging 2nd mistake in 2 days
- Goldeyes release pair of pitchers
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.