Samardzija helped himself with a solo home run in the fifth and pitched 4 2-3 innings, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 7-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday.
"Close your eyes, and you run into some things sometimes," Samardzija said of his home run.
He then used the word "outstanding" to describe how he pitched.
"The results aren't what we wanted. A couple of home runs and a couple of hanging off-speed pitches will do that to you but I tell you what, I like pitching against this team," Samardzija said. "They play ball the right way. They have an approach at the plate, the whole lineup does, and they jump on your mistakes. It's a great team
Samardzija, earlier this month tabbed the Cubs' opening day starter, allowed four runs on four hits, including a pair of home runs, and walked two. He also struck out two and walked two in his longest outing of spring training.
Despite only having given up two runs on four hits in five innings combined from his first two spring starts, Samardzija saw plenty of good in Monday's effort.
"(Monday) was a big turn for me, just how I felt, my pitch execution. If I missed I didn't miss by much," he said. "The adjustments I need to make are pretty simple, I feel. I'm excited. Obviously
Second baseman Darwin Barney hit a go-ahead two-run double in the seventh and added a pair of solid defensive plays for the Cubs. Welington Castillo had tied the score at 4 with a two-run shot with two out, after Diamondbacks reliever David Holmberg struck out the first two hitters he faced in the sixth.
Adam Eaton continued his hot hitting with a two-run homer for the
"He's a scrappy hitter. He had two strikes, he's going to stay on the ball a little longer," Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said. "He's stronger than people think."
Arizona starter Trevor Cahill turned in his best effort of spring training, pitching four innings (61 pitches) and allowing a run on three hits. He struck out five including the side in the second inning.
Infielder Didi Gregorius connected for a pinch-hit home run in the bottom of the fifth to give the Diamondbacks a 4-2 lead.
NOTES: Diamondbacks LHP Wade Miley was scratched from his start on Tuesday due to a tired arm.


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