Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Rewind: Samardzija clinches first 7-0 road trip in 103 years
Share This Post
Comments
Thursday, May 19, 2016 - 10:15pm
Follow @@AlexPavlovic

SAN DIEGO — Bruce Bochy had already come to a decision.

Jeff Samardzija, Major League Baseball's leader in pitches thrown, had done enough through eight dominant innings. Bochy didn’t much care that he was ending a run of complete games by handing the ball to his closer.

“I don’t get caught up in that,” Bochy said, smiling. “(Samardzija) did bring that up to me, though.”

After watching Madison Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto go the distance on back-to-back nights, Samardzija wanted to do the same. He didn’t know that the Giants had gone 28 years since a trio of complete games. He just knew that he wanted to match his teammates. That’s life in the clubhouse.

“I was trying to get back out there for sure,” Samardzija said.

Bochy was locked into his decision.

“Boch is going to be in the Hall,” Samardzija said. “I didn’t fight him too hard.”

Santiago Casilla had an eventful ninth but closed out an eighth consecutive win, this one a 3-1 nail-biter over the Padres at Petco Park. Casilla threw the final pitch of a 7-0 road trip, but the starters did just about everything else, and not just on Thursday. 

“Our starting pitchers are a big reason for this win streak we’re on right now,” said shortstop Brandon Crawford, who hit a solo homer. “It seems like they’re holding them under three every game.”

The Padres scored three runs total in three games. The Diamondbacks scored seven while losing four to the Giants last week. It added up to the first Giants sweep of a trip seven games or longer in 103 years.

“I’m a little surprised by that, to be honest,” Bochy said. “There have been good Giants teams and as long as we’ve been in existence, I’m surprised.”

The final game of the trip was a relatively smooth one until the final moments, with Joe Panik picking up four hits and the Giants taking advantage of some Padres miscues while scoring once in three separate innings. Samardzija gave up a run in the second and then retired 19 straight, throwing a 96 mph fastball on his 105th and final pitch. The whole trip wasn’t that easy, though, and while it’s easy to forget it after the way this series went, the Giants were mired in drama last week. Casilla fought Bochy’s decision on the mound and then went off post-game, and the Giants didn’t quite know what they had in Jake Peavy and Matt Cain when they flew out of SFO last Wednesday. 

[RECAP: Instant Replay: Giants sweep Padres, win eighth straight]

A week later they’re the hottest team in baseball, and the timing couldn’t be better. The Cubs, the best team in baseball since Opening Day, come to AT&T Park for three, starting Friday when Peavy faces reigning Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta. 

“We know who we have coming in,” Crawford said. “We’re going to take the same approach against the Cubs as we have on this road trip. That’s taking it one game at a time like we have been doing, and playing good baseball.”

Samardzija, a former Cub, won’t pitch in the series, but he certainly vaulted the Giants into the matchup in style. He pitched through the eighth for the fourth time in nine starts, and he moved into third on the National League leaderboard in innings (Cueto is second and Bumgarner is fifth). Samardzija wanted one more, though. 

“We’ve worked these guys pretty good, and especially Jeff,” Bochy said. “I just wanted to give him a break. He’s leading off the (top of the ninth) and Casilla is fresh. I thought it was time to give him a break.”

Samardzija didn’t push Bochy too much. Any regrets only came later, long after Panik had snagged a hot liner for the 27th out. Samardzija said several position players gave him a good-natured hard time about not finishing what he started.

“I’m going to have to keep an eye on them and see if they pull any tricks that are not the most masculine thing in the world,” he said, laughing. “I'll let them know about it.”

That was all in good fun. Samardzija’s new teammates know he has carried an incredible load through a quarter of the season, and they know they’ll need to lean on him down the line. The first-year Giant is looking forward to it, and he’s hoping he looks back on this night not as the one when he missed out on a complete game, but as the one when he saved some bullets.

“We have our eyes on the big picture, and that’s why I don’t mind,” he said. “If I need those 12 or 15 pitches for somewhere down the road, we’ll know we have them in there.”

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Vlasic analyzes Blues' shorthanded goal in Game 4 vs Sharks
Hitchcock: Blues took advantage of Sharks' turnovers in Game 4
Martin breaks down Blues' second goal in Game 4
DeBoer: Sharks 'got what they deserved' in Game 4 loss to Blues

Giants

Rewind: Matt Cain finally gets back in the win column
Instant Replay: Cain earns first win as Giants beat Cubs
Cubs' Heyward avoids DL after crashing into wall vs Giants
Giants notes: Pence, Pagan sidelined; Tomlinson plays LF
Read More

Athletics

Manaea tagged for five, A's offense slowed in loss
A's LF Davis day-to-day with right forearm tightness
A's lineup: Muncy 3B; McBride catching for dinged up Vogt
Rewind: Gray's struggles 'not something I expect from myself'
Read More

Sharks

Instant Replay: Blues batter Sharks 6-3, even series 2-2
Sharks, Blues coaches react to St. Louis goalie change
Morning Skate: Blues turn to Allen against Sharks in Game 4
Lightning top Penguins in Game 4, even conference finals
Read More

49ers

49ers' Miller prefers blocking from new position
WATCH: Slimmed down Carradine hits sleds at 49ers OTAs
Palmer shrugs off 'big game' failure, expects big season
Willis joins tech world, still respects football
Read More

Raiders

Kraft would support Raiders to Vegas if Oakland option fails
Carr: Raiders' Mack 'going to sack the quarterback 30 times'
Raiders sign sixth-round pick Cory James
Del Rio: Raiders 'in a tunnel' insulated from Vegas talk
Read More

Warriors

Raptors break through, hand Cavs first loss of playoffs
Ahead of Game 3, rebounding remains theme for Warriors vs OKC
Warriors defensive strategy makes Thunder ponder lineup change
Donovan, Kerr took very different paths to NBA coaching
Read More

NCAA

Report: QB Webb spurns Colorado for Cal as grad transfer
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • G-Mag
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan
  • Amy G
  • Insider Alex Pavlovic
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

Rewind: Matt Cain finally gets back in the win column
Alex Pavlovic

GIANTS VIDEO

Bochy 'couldn't be happier' with Cain getting first win in 10 months
Bochy 'couldn't be happier' with Cain getting first win in 10 months
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

  • Rewind: Matt Cain finally gets back in the win column
  • Instant Replay: Cain earns first win as Giants beat Cubs
  • Giants notes: Pence, Pagan sidelined; Tomlinson plays LF
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • All A's
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Manaea tagged for five, A's offense slowed in loss
(3)
Associated Press

A's VIDEO

Manaea breaks down his five runs vs Yankees: 'Let my mind wander'
Manaea breaks down his five runs vs Yankees: 'Let my mind wander'
See more >

A's INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Instant Replay: Blues batter Sharks 6-3, even series 2-2
(14)
Kevin Kurz

SHARKS VIDEO

Vlasic analyzes Blues' shorthanded goal in Game 4 vs Sharks
Vlasic analyzes Blues' shorthanded goal in Game 4 vs Sharks
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Instant Replay: Blues batter Sharks 6-3, even series 2-2
  • Sharks, Blues coaches react to St. Louis goalie change
  • Morning Skate: Blues turn to Allen against Sharks in Game 4
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Warriors Central
  • Steph-in' Amazing
  • Cookin' with the Currys
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets
  • Stream the Warriors on Live Extra

Latest News

Raptors break through, hand Cavs first loss of playoffs
Associated Press

WARRIORS VIDEO

Kerr makes it clear: 'Draymond and I are good'
Kerr makes it clear: 'Draymond and I are good'
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • Ahead of Game 3, rebounding remains theme for Warriors vs OKC
  • Warriors defensive strategy makes Thunder ponder lineup change
  • 'Locked in' Iguodala giving Warriors boost vs Thunder
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider James Ham
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets
  • Stream the Kings on Live Extra

Latest News

The Kings Insider Podcast: Draft expert Mike Schmitz
James Ham

Kings Video

STL: Joerger wants Cousins to be 'voice of positivity' for Kings
STL: Joerger wants Cousins to be 'voice of positivity' for Kings
See more >

KINGS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

49ers' Miller prefers blocking from new position
(61)
Matt Maiocco

49ers VIDEO

49ers WR analyzes Lincecum: 'Great move' for Angels
49ers WR analyzes Lincecum: 'Great move' for Angels
See more >

49ers INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Kraft would support Raiders to Vegas if Oakland option fails
(6)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS VIDEO

1-on-1 with Shilique Calhoun: 'I can be a visual motivator'
1-on-1 with Shilique Calhoun: 'I can be a visual motivator'
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

  • Kraft would support Raiders to Vegas if Oakland option fails
  • Raiders sign sixth-round pick Cory James
  • Del Rio: Raiders 'in a tunnel' insulated from Vegas talk
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Quakes' Wondolowski, Dawkins named to Copa America rosters
Media Services

More Stories

Locked up: Quakes sign Wondolowski to new multi-year contract
(1)
MLS Roundup: Quakes caught in Western Conference crowd
See more >

Quakes Shop

JOE STIGLICH

Rewind: Gray's struggles 'not something I expect from myself'
(1)
See more >

ALEX PAVLOVIC

Rewind: Matt Cain finally gets back in the win column
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

49ers' Miller prefers blocking from new position
(61)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Kraft would support Raiders to Vegas if Oakland option fails
(6)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Ahead of Game 3, rebounding remains theme for Warriors vs OKC
(1)
See more >

JAMES HAM

The Kings Insider Podcast: Draft expert Mike Schmitz
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Instant Replay: Blues batter Sharks 6-3, even series 2-2
(14)
See more >

RAY RATTO

SF's profound love for Lincecum won't die with Angels signing

AFF - A'S

Authentic Fan Friday - A's

Come to Authentic Fan Friday at the A's! 

Sit in the Value Deck and score free giveaways - get more info here!

 

VOTE YOUR FAVORITE ALL-STAR TEACHER

ast

Vote for your favorite All-Star Teacher here!

The winner gets $20k for his/her school!

SAY HEY TUESDAY

s

Join us for Say Hey Tuesday – every Tuesday Giants home game.

NCAA

  • Stanford Football
  • Stanford Basketball
  • Stanford Women's Basketball
  • Cal Football
  • Cal Basketball
  • Cal Women's Basketball
  • SJSU Football
  • SJSU Basketball
  • USF Basketball
  • USF Women's Basketball
  • Saint Mary's Basketball
  • Santa Clara Basketball
  • Fresno State Football

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Biz Ball
  • Combat Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Vlasic analyzes Blues' shorthanded goal in Game 4 vs Sharks
Vlasic analyzes Blues' shorthanded goal in Game 4 vs Sharks
See more >

ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING

  • G-Mag
  • All A's
  • Carpool Confessions
  • Steph-in' Amazing
  • Cookin' with the Currys
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • SportsTalk Live
  • But Seriously

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • James Ham - Kings
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Alex Pavlovic - Giants
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California