Right-hander Jeff Samardzija got his first taste of major league baseball Friday, and along with it, he got a little bit of everything to go with it.
The Cubs recalled Samardzija from their Class AAA Iowa (Des Moines) club to take the spot on the roster of right-hander Kerry Wood, who is on the disabled list because of a finger blister. Manager Lou Piniella brought Samardzija in during a tight situation, and Samardzija gave up the game-tying run in the seventh inning for a blown save. He worked two innings, giving up two hits and the run while walking none and striking out two.
The 23-year-old Samardzija began the year at Class AA Tennessee (Kodak), where he went 3-5 with a 4.86 ERA before going 4-1 with a 3.13 ERA.
Although Samardzija has been a starting pitcher in the minor leagues, the Cubs plan to use him in middle- to late-inning relief.
MARLINS 3, CUBS 2: RHP Bob Howry gave up a leadoff homer in the ninth inning to pinch hitter Jeremy Hermida to break a 2-2 tie. RHP Ryan Dempster started for the Cubs and worked six innings, giving up two hits and one run. He struck out six but walked a season-high six. The Cubs got solo homers from C Geovany Soto (No. 17) and CF Reed Johnson (No. 5).
