29 Jeff Samardzija, SP

Cubs starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija was the victim of bad luck and poor support again Wednesday, losing his sixth game of the season despite allowing one run.

Samardzija allowed the run and two hits in the first but settled down to hold the Pirates to a hit in his final six innings. But the Cubs' offense was held to four hits in the 1-0 loss.

Samardzija (2-6) struck out eight and walked one. He has a 3.25 ERA, but the Cubs are averaging 2.8 runs per game in his 10 starts.

His next start is Monday against the White Sox. 

Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija picked up his first win since opening day in Wednesday's series finale against the Rockies. He allowed two runs on five hits over eight innings of work in a 6-3 victory.

The right-hander gave up a run in the second but helped his own cause by hitting a two-run homer off Jon Garland in the bottom half of the frame. His final damage came in the form of a Reid Brignac solo home run in the sixth.

Samardzija, who threw 105 pitches, also struck out seven and walked two while lowering his ERA to 3.49.

His next start is scheduled for Wednesday against the Pirates. When Samardzija faced Pittsburgh on April 1, he worked eight scoreless innings in a win.

With the Cubs having locked up Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo long-term, starter Jeff Samardzija appears to be next in line for an extension, MLB.com reports. The right-hander said during spring training that he wanted to discuss a deal after the season.

“I know they have a lot of things on their minds right now,” Samardzija said of the Cubs front office. “We have an understanding that we both want to be here, and both want me here, and that’s a great place to be. It’s up to me to do my job on the field.”

Samardzija has gone 1-5 with a 3.70 ERA through eight starts.

“I want my play to determine how everything goes down,” he said. “I have high expectations for myself and this team. That comes first. I feel everything after that will fall into line for me, personally.”

Cubs starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija lost his fifth decision in a row Friday night against the Nationals. Samardzija, whose lone win came in his first start of the year, allowed seven runs -- five earned -- on eight hits over just five innings, matching his shortest outing.

The right-hander surrendered a two-run home run off the bat of Ian Desmond in the fourth before being touched up again by Desmond for a run-scoring double in the fifth. He also served up an RBI double to Danny Espinosa in the frame and was pulled after throwing 73 pitches -- 50 strikes. He finished with five strikeouts and two walks. 

Samardzija (1-5) will look to get back in the win column when he faces the Rockies Wednesday.