Jeff Samardzija finally gets first win, as Chicago Cubs beat the San Francisco Giants

Jeff Samardzija owner of a 1.68 earned run average, good enough for second in all of baseball, finally has his first win. Samardzija, who is now 1-4, pitched a solid outing to overcome the San Francisco Giants in the series opener at AT&T Park. The Chicago Cubs’ offense tagged on for eight runs off Yusmeiro Petit and David Huff.

Samardzija fanned ten Giants batters, and allowed three runs and six hits over seven solid frames. Samardzija even gave himself some run support, with an RBI double off Petit. After finally reciving some run support, Samardzija was bathed in beer, and spoke to MLB.com after the game.

"“They ambushed me,” Samardzija said, still wearing his beer-soaked clothes. “It smells great.” “People try to downplay the record thing, but as a starting pitcher, I think it’s important,” said Samardzija, who has handled the lack of wins better than anyone. “I care, I want to keep working hard and come out every day and try to get a win. That’s all you can do.”The Cubs hadn’t given Samardzija much run support, but that changed Monday. Seven of the nine Chicago starters drove in a run, including the pitcher himself. Samardzija, a former wide receiver in Notre Dame, made an error in the first inning. “I knew Pagan can run and he was hustling down the line and I hurried myself up,” Samardzija said of the play. “It hit me in the palm and popped up.”"

Samardzija has been the epicentre of much trade speculation, and the Giants have been rumoured to be a suitor.