Samardzija, Giants shut down Padres
Send a link to a friend
[September 23, 2016]
SAN DIEGO -- Jeff Samardzija was
keen from the get-go, and Sergio Romo was good enough on shut-down.
The pair helped the San Francisco Giants, who scored twice in the
eighth inning, beat the San Diego Padres 2-1 Thursday night.
San Francisco (81-72) kept pace with the New York Mets (81-72) for
the two National League wild-card spots. They both moved a half-game
ahead of the idle St. Louis Cardinals (80-72).
Samardzija (12-10) didn't have many stressful moments while throwing
seven scoreless innings. He surrendered four hits and no walks while
tying a season high with nine strikeouts.
"He is really throwing the ball well right now, and he is a horse
that you can ride," manager Bruce Bochy said. "He gave us what we
needed."
Samardzija improved to 6-2 lifetime against the Padres.
"I just tried to hang in the game long enough, and we squeaked some
through in the eighth," he said.
Samardzija had command of his fastball and a sinker that was
effective off the plate.
"I'm going to throw my fastball in the zone and live and die by it,"
he said. "If you got it going where you want it, you are going to
have a good day."
Angel Pagan and Hunter Pence drove in San Francisco's runs.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Sep/23/images/ads/current/peasleymemorials_lda100213.png)
Romo pitched the ninth for his second save in two chances. Ryan
Schimpf had a one-out double, but two Padres called up from the
minors on Wednesday stranded him. Hunter Renfroe popped out, and
Carlos Asuaje grounded out to end it.
"Sergio made pitches," Bochy said of his former closer who is trying
to regain the role.
Alex Dickerson's pinch-hit homer in the bottom of the eighth inning
off Derek Law pulled the Padres to within 2-1.
The Giants got a break in the game-turning top of the eighth when
Renfroe had Joe Panik's drive in the right-center gap glance off his
glove. Panik collected a ground-rule double as he snapped a 0-for-24
skid.
Pinch hitter Kelby Tomlinson singled Panik to third, and Panik
scored when Pagan parachuted a single in short right field.
Renfroe's throw home was surprisingly cut off by first baseman Wil
Myers.
"Since there was no other play there, Wil probably wants to let that
ball go," manager Andy Green said. "I don't know how far up the line
it was going to be ... but I thought it was going to be close enough
to an interesting play at the plate."
Pence followed with an RBI double.
"We got a break on Angel's ball that it stayed fair, and Pence,
there is nothing like getting some insurance because we needed it,"
Bochy said.
Padres starter Christian Friedrich (5-11) was solid, especially
considering he has won only once since June 29. He worked seven-plus
innings and was charged with two runs and three hits. He struck out
six and walked three.
[to top of second column] |
![](../images/092316pics/sports75.jpg)
Giants starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (29) pitches during the
sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory
Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Mar/14/images/ads/current/tires250x300.gif)
"We just couldn't figure him out," Bochy said.
Friedrich said of his late-season work, "It's nice to keep pitching.
It just helps for me building up as a starter for next year."
The Padres' lineup was flooded with youth. Four San Diego starters
were summoned Wednesday from the Triple-A El Paso squad that won the
Pacific Coast League title. Myers was the lone position player
Thursday who was in San Diego's Opening Day lineup.
"When they call guys up, it's usually because they can hit a
heater," Samardzija said. "You can use that to your advantage as
long as you have a good one and you are putting it where you want it
and get ahead in the count."
San Diego had an opportunity in the sixth when Samardzija's throwing
error on a dribbler up the third base line allowed Friedrich to
reach safely.
"You don't want to be a goat and lose the game because you threw it
away," Samardzija said.
Travis Jankowski followed with a single, putting two Padres aboard
for the first time.
Samardzija hunkered down, getting Manuel Margot to pop up and
fanning Myers and Schimpf to squash the rally.
Renfroe got his first major league hit in the second before
Samardzija retired eight in a row.
Renfroe had another single to open the fifth, but didn't advance
past first. Asuaje flied out preceding strikeouts by Hedges and Luis
Sardinas.
NOTES: Giants RHP Johnny Cueto (groin) will try to throw Friday.
Cueto was hurt Tuesday against the Dodgers, and there is still a
chance he could start Sunday in San Diego. ... San Francisco SS
Brandon Crawford (finger) has resumed throwing, but there is no
timetable for his return. ... Padres RHP Colin Rea (elbow) is
playing catch as he tries to avoid Tommy John surgery. ... San Diego
INF Yangervis Solarte will return soon after attending the funeral
for his wife, Yuliette, 31, in Miami.
[© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2016 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Aug/26/images/ads/current/Alexander_lda_060716.png)
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Sep/23/images/ads/current/ldn_medical_directory_small2.png) |