Giants' Samardzija fans 5 in 3 innings, Dodgers win 5-2
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Giants starter Jeff Samardzija struck out five in three innings Sunday in San Francisco's 5-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Samardzija gave up one run and five hits in his second start for his new team.
Yasiel Puig struck out in his first at-bat and then singled against Samardzija. Puig later drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.
Brandon Crawford homered for the Giants. Carl Crawford had two hits, including a triple, and drove in two runs for the Dodgers.
Zach Lee pitched two scoreless innings, replacing Brett Anderson, who underwent lower back surgery.
Lee had to pitch out of a jam in the first after Gregor Blanco singled and Joe Panik reached on Crawford's fielding error. He retired six straight to complete his outing.
STARTING TIME
Lee wants to show the Los Angeles management he is worthy of a spot in the starting rotation.
"I want to go out there, compete and improve every day," Lee said. "I want to establish myself in that role. I felt like last year I had a great year and I should be a viable option."
Lee made his major league debut last July, making one start.
"As long as I have a fair opportunity," he said. "It's not my decision to make. Sometimes you'd like it to be a little faster but you can't speed things up. I feel this year I'm in a good spot to make a real impact."
Giants: Samardzija opened with a flourish, getting Crawford, Joc Pederson and Puig on strikes and endearing himself to Giants fans at a sold-out Scottsdale Stadium.
"Every time out I want to have a strong first inning," Samardzija said. "It can make for a longer day if the first is a grind. You want to strike a balance to be under control and still carry the excitement of pitching out there."
Samardzija struck out Puig and Chase Utley on sliders, something he wanted to work on after using primarily fastballs in his first start.
"I proved the fastball was good enough and I threw some good sliders," he said. "You check things off the list. The fastball was good early and I can move on. I kept the ball down better this time."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Dodgers: RHP Frankie Montas (rib surgery) has progressed to a throwing program. ... RHP Josh Ravin (broken left forearm) is getting closer to returning.
Giants: RHP Matt Cain (cyst removed from right arm) threw for the first time since his injury. ... OF Hunter Pence (right Achilles tendinitis) is expected to make his spring debut on Wednesday after taking batting practice and moving around on the field the past two days. ... SS Brandon Crawford (shoulder soreness) will return to shortstop on Thursday.
UP NEXT
Dodgers: LHP Alex Wood starts on Monday against the Cleveland Indians and RHP Corey Kluber.
Giants: RHP Jake Peavy makes his second start for San Francisco when it travels to Surprise to take on the Texas Rangers and RHP Colby Lewis.