SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Jeff Samardzija threw his first two innings in a Giants uniform in Wednesday's Cactus League opener. His comments after allowing a run were more instructive than anything the 8,263 fans saw.
After a perfect first inning, Samardzija allowed a Carlos Perez double to start the second. Ninety-nine percent of experienced pitchers in their first exhibition start would continue to work on getting their fastballs over the plate, but not Samardzija.
He tried to make pitches so he could keep Perez from scoring, pretending it was the late inning of a regular-season game.