Samardzija impressively caps off Cactus stint
It also turned out to be the right-hander's last Cactus League game, as he was one of 14 players cut.
Samardzija started the fifth inning of the Cubs' 10-5 win over the Giants and retired the first two batters. Omar Vizquel then singled, and Bonds took the first pitch, a ball, then slapped a single to right. Pedro Feliz also singled to load the bases, but Samardzija got Rich Aurilia to fly out to Alfonso Soriano in center to end the inning.
"It was cool," Samardzija said about facing Bonds. "I tried to keep cool and just make some pitches. I kept the sinker up a little bit, and he put the bat on it."
It was cool to face Bonds? Not many big-league pitchers feel that way.
"I got to face a lot of guys since I've been up here, a lot of guys I've watched for a long time," Samardzija said. "It's all thrilling. My job as a pitcher is to keep my emotions together on the mound. I'm a pretty emotional guy. I just took some deep breaths, made my pitches and what happens, happens."
"It was very entertaining," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said, "but I've been excited about this kid since the day we got him. He handled himself like a pro with a lot of poise. He's a big-time guy."
Samardzija struck out Bengie Molina and Randy Winn to open the sixth, then walked a batter and gave up a single before getting an inning-ending groundout. In two innings, the former Notre Dame wide receiver gave up four hits, one walk and and struck out two.
"He's pitched like a veteran really," Piniella said. "You could see that he's had big-time exposure playing football at Notre Dame. This hasn't fazed him too much. I think he's looked at some of our veteran pitchers and how they go about their business, what it takes to be a big leaguer, and he'll take that with him. I wouldn't be surprised that he'll have good, steady progress in the Minor League system."
As good as the young right-hander has looked, he needs to get some experience in the Minor Leagues and learn his trade, Piniella said. In the first round of roster cuts Monday, the Cubs trimmed the spring roster from 58 to 44. Infielder Scott Moore and left-handed pitcher Clay Rapada were optioned to Triple-A Iowa. Infielder Brian Dopirak was optioned to Double-A Tennessee, and Samardzija was optioned to Class A Advanced Daytona.
Ten non-roster invitees were returned to the Cubs' Minor League camp, including pitchers Jason Anderson, Sean Gallagher, Adam Harben, Ben Howard, John Webb and Randy Wells. Infielders Mike Kinkade and Eric Patterson as well as outfielders Tyler Colvin and Chris Walker also were returned to the Minor League camp.
"They all worked hard, and got a taste of what it's like to be around a Major League team," Piniella said. "Like I told them, 'Your time will come.' These are talented kids, and we thanked them for the way they handled themselves in camp and for their work ethic. They were great to work with."
"If you're not there watching the other guys and picking up stuff from what they're doing, you're missing the boat," Samardzija said. "I tried to emulate everyone else."
Samardzija has made quite a transition. Just think -- he was playing in the Sugar Bowl Jan. 3 for Notre Dame and less than three months later, he's facing Barry Bonds.
"It always goes fast," Samardzija said. "You have to sit back and enjoy it. It's definitely been a pretty insane three, four months. It's been a lot of fun, and hopefully I keep going, keep pitching and keep having a good time."
Roster moves: Sean Gallagher, one of 14 players who had to pack their gear and move down to Fitch Park and the Minor League camp, took the news that he was being reassigned well.
"It's a win-win situation," said Gallagher, who appeared in four innings over three games this spring. "It's starting to get tough to get innings."
He'd heard that Piniella mentioned the right-hander as a candidate for the vacancy in the big-league team's rotation but also knew the reality of the situation.
"I was probably the biggest long shot," Gallagher said.
Still, he had the right attitude.
"I'll be back," said Gallagher, as he packed his bag at HoHoKam Park. "I'll be calling Wrigley Field home in a matter of time."
One player still in Cubs camp is outfielder Felix Pie.
"He's getting his at-bats every day," Piniella said. "The kids who we keep, they'll all get playing time, they'll all get at-bats. When it comes to the point where we know they're not going to play here or get at-bats, then we'll evaluate their situation. Right now, they're playing as much as the regulars.
"Pie has done well here in camp," he said. "He's a good-looking young kid who is getting better and better."
Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com.