Cubs, Samardzija The Shark Attacked

Jeff Samardzija has been better than his 1-4 record suggests so far this season. After picking up the win on Opening Day in Pittsburgh, the Cubs ace has been a victim of bullpen collapses and a lack of offensive support. Unfortunately for the Cubs on Friday, The Shark was his own worst enemy against the Nationals in DC.

His offense spotted him a run in the first, thanks to some small ball action. With the Dave Sappelt lead off man show now a Triple A attraction, Starlin Castro was handed table setting duties against the lefty starter for Washington. He doubled to start the game and scored on a ground out.

Apr 24, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

The Shark shot himself in the foot with an error of his own before serving up a two run double to Kurt Suzuki in the bottom of the second. Samardzija made amends for it in the third inning, when he hit a two bagger down the left field line. He would come around to score when Castro followed up with another double.

The Nationals answered again an inning later, this time jumping ahead by a pair thanks to an Ian Desmond homer to left. Desmond would frustrate Samardzija again in the fifth, adding a RBI double before Danny Espinosa made it 7-2 with a two base knock of his own.

Samardzija was certainly not himself, allowing eight hits total with two walks in just five innings of work. The irony of it all is that his bullpen mates came in to prevent any further scoring by the Nationals. The relief corp included an appearance from Kyuji Fujikawa, fresh off of the disabled list.

The Cubs fell to 13-22, with The Shark’s win less streak since Opening Day continuing.