Jeff Samardzija struggles after rain-delay, Cubs fall 7-2 to Nationals

Jeff Samardzija had gotten into a nice little groove and Luis Valbuena had just tied it for the Chicago Cubs (34-46) at 2-2 with a two-run home run in the fourth. Things were looking good against the Washington Nationals (43-38) in the second game of the doubleheader.

And then the rain came.

When the tarp came off and the game resumed, it was clear one team was ready to play, the other, maybe not so much. The first pitch from Samardzija (2-7, 2.83) after the rain delay was a shot from Wilson Ramos into the center field bleachers. The bleeding didn’t stop there for the Cubs.

Three hits, an error, and a “phantom” hit-by-pitch” led to three more runs as the Nationals took a commanding lead over the Cubs following the 55 minute rain-delay.

Blake Treinen (1-3, 2.29) did just enough, completing five innings while allowing only two runs on four hits. His only real mistake was the home run to Luis Valbuena that tied the game at 2-2 in the fourth.

Ross Detwiler went three innings in relief, qualifying for his first save of the season.

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In the twinbill, the Cubs managed only two run on nine hits. That type of production, although Samardzija’s performance was less than stellar, has been the Achilles heel in his starts all season long.

The Cubs will have their first scheduled Sunday off in 82 years, as the city celebrates in annual Pride Parade in Wrigleyville. Due to logistics and traffic, the Cubs opted to play two today instead.