March 27--Former teammate Jeff Samardzija retired the first 11 Cubs in a 5-2 Giants victory Saturday before a crowd of 15,403 at Sloan Park. John Lackey was charged with five runs, but the final two scored on infield hits from Jarrett Parker and Gregor Blanco off left-hander Clayton Richard.
At the plate: Kyle Schwarber ripped a single to deep right for the Cubs' first hit in the fourth. Samardzija shattered his bat in Schwarber's next at-bat, but Schwarber muscled a single into center field in the sixth. Addison Russell hit his third spring home run in the sixth off Samardzija.
On the mound: Closer Hector Rondon and fellow reliever Pedro Strop pitched for the second consecutive game for the first time this spring, and each responded with another scoreless inning.
In the field: Schwarber moved from left field to catcher for the final two innings and his high throw to second base was very high in allowing George Kottaras a stolen base in the ninth.
Key number: 8 -- Consecutive games in which Munenori Kawasaki has hit safely.
The quote: "I think we're all about ready to get out of here." -- Lackey on spring training
Up next: Vs. Mariners, 3:05 p.m. Sunday at Sloan Park. RH Jason Hammel vs. LH James Paxton.
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