Samardzija named NL Pitcher of the Week

Chicago Cubs’ right-hander Jeff Samardzija has been named co-National League Pitcher of the Week, sharing the honors with the Miami Marlins’ Jose Fernandez.

Samardzija made two starts last week, coming against the Washington Nationals and the San Diego Padres. Between the two starts, the righty tossed 17 innnings, allowing just three earned runs on 13 hits while striking out 12 and walking just two. Over the seven-day span, he went 2-0 with a 1.59 earned run average.

The 28-year old is the Cubs’ first pitcher to receive the recognition since Ryan Dempster received the honors in June of last year. The only other Chicago Cubs’ pitcher to win the award in the past ten years was Carlos Zambrano, who earned it during the week he threw a no-hitter in September 2008.

Fernandez has given a struggling Miami team cause for optimism in his rookie season, going 10-5 with a 2.30 ERA. The 21-year old has been particularly dominant of late, combining for 13 innings pitched over his past two starts, allowing just one earned run on eight hits. He also walked three batters and struck out 16.

In the month of August, Fernandez has amassed 33 innings, scattering 19 hits and just three earned runs. He’s issued nine walks and struck out 41 batters. His earned run average for the month is a minuscule 0.82.

The Cubs begin a series against the National League West-leading Dodgers tonight at Dodger Stadium. Miami heads to Washington, D.C. to take on the struggling Nationals.