Samardzija Allows Run In 2 Innings In 1st Game With Giants
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Jeff Samardzija pitched two innings in his first game in a Giants uniform, giving up a run and two hits Wednesday as San Francisco beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-1 in the exhibition opener for both teams.
Signed to a $90 million, five-year contract, Samardzija walked two and struck out none.
"The first time out there is like the first day of school," Samardzija said. "It doesn't matter how old you are, there are jitters."
Conor Gillaspie homered and Buster Posey singled in his first at-bat of spring training.
Hector Santiago faced seven batters, allowing just the hit to Posey. He struck out two.
Rafael Ortega's sacrifice fly put the Angels ahead in the second.
Gillaspie, back with the team that drafted him, made up for an error in the third with a home run off Matt Shoemaker.
"Any time you can hit the ball with the barrel of the bat, it feels good," Gillaspie said. "The first day is hard to look at for anything. We're all new to this."
Mike Broadway got the win and George Kontos the save. Cam Bedrosian was the loser.
STARTING TIME
Angels: LHP Hector Santiago, coming off his best season, was encouraged from the first pitch.
"Last year, I threw a first strike pitch and had a good year," Santiago said. "This year, I threw a first pitch strike. That's a good sign for me."
Santiago thinks the first start of the spring is his most important.
"I was definitely anxious because I want to start on the right foot," he said. "I want to go out, attack and pound the strike zone. Four of seven first-pitch strikes, from there I can always get better. I threw three different pitches, got a few groundballs, some swing and misses. Just get out there and get my work in."
Giants: RHP Jeff Samardzija felt like it was the first day of school and he wanted to impress his new teammates.
"You want to set an example for the younger guys," Samardzija said. "There's no going through the motions. You're here to get ready and to do that you consistently have your head working."
Samardzija gave up a hit and then walked the bases loaded in the second inning. He said he approached it like a late-game situation during the regular season.
"I wanted to keep the zero up there," he said. "I wasn't going to do anything stupid. I'm OK with the first walk, but you never want to walk the bases loaded."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Angels: LHP CJ Wilson (mild tendinitis) was in Southern California to be with his wife, Lisalla, for the birth of their first child. He's expected to return in time to begin resuming throwing off a mound. ... 1B Luis Pujols (right foot) might play this weekend. He's taking part in full baseball activities and has been participating in batting practice.
Giants: IF Brandon Crawford has some soreness in his right shoulder and will be used as a designated hitter for a week or so. "Pitchers have a pitch count, I have a throw count," Crawford said. "I'm taking it slow. I'm taking ground balls but I'm counting every throw." ... OF Hunter Pence (right Achilles tendinitis) had an MRI performed and could return to action next week. ... RHP Matt Cain (cyst removed from right arm) believes he'll resume throwing in a week and will be ready by opening day.
UP NEXT
Angels: Garrett Richards will take the mound Thursday in Tempe against Eric Surkamp and the Oakland Athletics.
Giants: Jake Peavy gets his first start of the spring Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers in Scottsdale. He'll be opposed by Zach Davies.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
