Fan has trouble welcoming Jeff Samardzija to Oakland (Video)
By Mike Marteny
If your team trades for a player in the middle of the season, as a fan it is your duty to give him a proper welcome. This welcoming sign for Jeff Samardzija to Oakland might have worked better if the fan had googled how to spell “Samardzija” first. Then again, maybe this way is better:
Samardzija, acquired in the first blockbuster deal of this trade season, made his first start today for his new team at home against the Blue Jays.
He has pitched well so far, allowing one run in six innings while striking out two.
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Samardzija is not used to all of this run support. Samardzija got a no decision or a loss 12 times with the Cubs while allowing three runs or less.
The A’s have given him three runs so far. Craig Gentry had an RBI single in the third. Nate Freiman and John Jaso added RBI singles in the fourth.
The Blue Jays got their only run in the fifth inning on an RBI groundout by Melky Cabrera.
Samardzija had a terrible 2-7 record with the Cubs, but had a 2.83 ERA and 103 strikeouts with only 31 walks in 108 innings pitched.
Drew Hutchison is in line for the loss right now, allowing three runs through six innings.