Jeff Samardzija can’t catch a break so far this season as the Chicago Cubs Opening Day starter is still in search of his first win of the year despite going at least seven innings and giving up two or fewer runs in his first five starts of the year. That type of dubious distinction served as a historical feat for the 29-year-old ace, according to baseball reference.
Jeff Samardzija is the only pitcher in the last 100 yrs to go 7+ IP and allow 2 ER or fewer in his 1st 5 GS of a season and not earn a win
— Baseball Reference (@baseball_ref) April 23, 2014
On the day the Cubs celebrated the 100th anniversary of the first game played in Wrigley Field, it would only seem appropriate that Samardzija would do something that hasn’t been done in literally a century.
Samardzija was the victim to a beleaguered Cubs bullpen again after giving up two runs in 7.1 innings of work and leaving with a 5-2 lead.
After Pedro Strop and James Russell combined to allow five runs in the top of the ninth and the Cubs lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks by the score of 7-5, Samardzija will have to wait another five days to pick that elusive first win of the season.
No wonder Samardzija has been reluctant to sign an extension with the team. He has a 1.53 ERA, but has no wins to show for it.