Reds’ Latos outduels Samardzija in Cubs’ 1-0 loss
BY GORDON WITTENMYER gwittenmyer@suntimes.com April 24, 2013 3:58PM
CINCINNATI, OH - APRIL 24: Jeff Samardzija #29 of the Chicago Cubs pitches during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on April 24, 2013 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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Updated: April 25, 2013 12:33AM
CINCINNATI – Jeff Samardzija appeared to hurt the tip of his right index finger trying to field a ball hit back through the box by the first Cincinnati hitter of the game Wednesday afternoon but survived to pitch six strong innings – retreating quickly to the dugout between innings for treatment.
It should have been enough to beat the Reds, but Cincinnati starter Mat Latos pitched seven scoreless innings to outduel the Cubs’ Opening Day starter and beat the Cubs 1-0 in the rain-delayed finale of the three-game series at Great American Ball Park.
Samardzija’s only run allowed came with two out in the sixth when Todd Frazier hit a 2-1 pitch well over center field wall for the only run of the game.
His performance was the Cubs’ 12th quality start this season, but the starting staff has only three wins to show for it.
The rotation has the third-best ERA in the majors at 2.97 but only a 3-11 record because of run support like Wednesday and late-inning struggles by the bullpen.
The Cubs are 1-5 during a 10-game road trip that concludes with a four-game series in Miami, starting Thursday.
