Cubs Samardzija on Losing End of 1-0 Pitchers’ Duel

The Cubs offense continues to crash and burn with runners in scoring position. On Wednesday afternoon they tacked on another 0 for 6 with RISP effort to their already league worst average with RISP. To make matters worse, the North Siders only managed five hits all game.

There is no question that the Cubs offense has struggled early on, but with manager Dale Sveum having a front row seat to witness the failures, he chose the afternoon matinee to sit one of the few hitters that was actually hitting; Alfonso Soriano. While the veteran left fielder’s replacement Julio Borbon did go 1 for 3, it is easy to second guess the manager’s decisoin to rest Soriano after having to suffer through a narrow 1-0 defeat. Borbon also represented the only extra base hit for the Chicago offense all game.

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

As a result the Cubs wasted a great outing by Jeff Samardzija. The Cubs ace gave up the mere one earned run only to watch his record drop to 1-4 on the season. The Shark roughed out a six inning performance despite a bloody finger suffered in the first trying to bare hand a come backer. Samardzija would allow seven hits on the day paired up with three walks, while striking out eight.

Reds starter Mat Latos edged The Shark in all pitching categories except strikeouts against the anemic Cubs offense to earn his first win of the season. The host Reds took the series 2-1 as a parting gift to the North Siders on travel day. Chicago heads to Miami for a four game weekend set starting Thursday and hope to right the ship against a fellow division basement dweller.