Samardzija gets save, Piniella praise in Cubs' win

You know Lou Piniella is impressed with someone when he gives you a lot of headshakes and "I'll tell you what's."

Well, both were in abundance Sunday afternoon from the Cubs' skipper, who simply couldn't gush enough about his newest power arm in the bullpen - rookie Jeff Samardzija, who pitched a pair of scoreless innings to preserve a 9-6 come-from-behind victory over the Florida Marlins and in the process recorded his first career save.

"I'll tell you what, it's impressive isn't it?" Piniella said. "Going out there and pitching 2 solid innings in an important game. He's very comfortable and has good stuff to go with it.

"We've been looking for one more good arm in the bullpen, and I think we found it."

The Cubs also found their way back to sole possession of first place in the NL Central, courtesy of Houston's 11-6 victory at Milwaukee. The Cubs and the Brewers begin a big four-game showdown tonight at Miller Park.

"It feels pretty good," said Samardzija, who got the game ball from Jim Edmonds after the center fielder capped the festivities with a diving catch in right-center. "They updated the scoreboard (with the Brewers score) when I was throwing down in the bullpen and the fans responded.

"It was exciting. It's nice to get the first (save) under your belt."

Piniella is so impressed with the former Fighting Irish wide receiver that he's even thinking about taking in a Notre Dame football game this fall for the first time in his life, but with the caveat that, "I don't want to sit in the upper deck."

No problem there; he's on the same wavelength with his newest reliever.

"I was saying earlier that I only do the sideline," Samardzija said. "He better bring a chair or we can just hang out."

No word yet whether Piniella will invite Alfonso Soriano and Mike Fontenot, but he might want to consider it after the pair shocked a dormant offense back to life.

Soriano's 3-run homer to right-center in the fourth tied the game at 5-5. For the day, he finished with 3 hits, the first time he has had 3 or more hits in a game since May 17.

"I had a very good swing today and put the ball in play," Soriano said. "That was big to come back against a very good team like the Marlins."

Fontenot gave the Cubs the lead for good when he came up as a pinch hitter in the seventh and swatted a 3-RBI double.

"We all want to be up there in that kind of situation," Fontenot said.

"Let's hope that these bats travel well to Milwaukee," Piniella said.

Samardzija might not need any sort of vehicle at all to make the trip to Milwaukee.

"I couldn't ask for anything more," he said. "For them to have confidence to throw me out there, now I want to return that confidence back to them."

Mission accomplished.

"I'll tell you what, we needed one more good power arm out there," Piniella said, "and this kid here looks like the right guy - I'll tell you that."

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