Giants ’Samardzija silences Reds bats, snaps own in half
Hits 97 mph in third win in row, snaps bat over knee after whiff
CINCINNATI — See if this conjures an image: A former gridiron star switches to baseball, gets frustrated after striking out and breaks a bat over his knee.
Sure, Bo Jackson did it once. Jeff Samardzija, of all people, did it Tuesday night. And no, pitchers usually don’t get so worked up over striking out — especially when they are poised to set a personal benchmark.
Samardzija dominated the Reds for eight innings to win a third consecutive start for the first time in his career. An infield squibber from Kelby Tomlinson snapped a tie in the eighth, Samardzija snapped something else and the Giants (15-13) took a 3-1 victory at Great American Ball Park.
Samardzija (4-1) struck out nine, yielded only a home run to former Giant Adam Duvall, hit 97 mph as late as his 99th pitch of the night and credited his emerging rapport with Buster Posey for turning the mental gears on his behalf and keeping him on a steady pace.
Posey appreciated the compliment, but … “That was probably some of the most explosive stuff I’ve caught from start to finish,” said Posey, who has received near-peak Tim Lincecum, among many others. “I can’t think of too many guys the first inning to the eighth with the velocity and action he had tonight.”
And knees of steel. Madison Bumgarner might spend the winter chopping down trees. But he never splintered wood in the middle of a big league ballpark. Samardzija said it was a spur-of-the-moment act when he broke his bat after striking out to strand two runners in the eighth.
“Nah, there’s no premeditation for anything, man,” he said. “Go with what you feel.”
The former Notre Dame wide receiver sheepishly admitted it wasn’t the first time he’s broken a bat — an act usually reserved for sluggers like Jackson, Yasiel Puig, or dipping back into Giants lore, Chili Davis.
“I think we all were stunned,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “You don’t see a pitcher do that often. That’s how competitive he is.
“It was like a twig when it broke. That was impressive. I’m not thrilled with the chance of doing something to his knee there, but the way that thing broke off, he looked like Herman Munster.”
Know what’s spookier than 1313 Mockingbird Lane? The Reds’ bullpen when the gate swings open.
Posey had three doubles on the night and scored the Giants’ only run against spot starter John Lamb, but they made the left-hander throw enough pitches to drive him from the game after six innings. And the home fans knew to cringe after that.
Tomlinson’s snort against Caleb Cotham marked the 21st consecutive game in which the Reds’ bullpen was scored upon, setting a major league record that their relievers had shared with the 2013 Rockies.
Hunter Pence started the winning rally with a one-out walk and raced to third on Brandon Belt’s flare down the left field line. Belt, whose risks on the bases have proved unproductive this season, was thrown out trying to stretch his single into a double and the Giants challenged the tag play to no avail.
It was a damaging second out, but the Giants managed to overcome it with a bit of luck. Following an intentional walk to Brandon Crawford, Tomlinson got jammed on a little snort to shortstop for an infield hit that scored Pence with the tiebreaking run.
Gregor Blanco followed with a single that scored Crawford, then promptly stole second base — the fourth steal of the game and the Giants’ ninth in three games in May. (They had seven steals in all of April.) That’s when Samardzija stepped to the plate with a chance to break the game open. When he chased a slider, he decided to break something else.
“Belt asked me how to do it,” Samardzija said. “He said, ‘ Do you just commit to it?’ Let’s keep an eye on Belty and see how it goes. I don’t think we’ll see it. He doesn’t have the temperament.”
It’s clear that Samardzija does. Matt Cain smiled as he strolled past his locker.
“There he is,” said Cain, “the manliest man of the night.”
Right-hander George n Kontos (flexor tendon strain near his right elbow) threw 40 pitches separated into two “innings” off the bullpen mound. He’ll face batters in simulated game conditions on Friday. He might need a couple of those sessions, or a minor league rehab assignment, before the Giants would activate him.
Sergio Romo, also on n the D.L. with a flexor tendon strain, stretched out his flat-ground throwing to 90 feet and reported no issues to trainers. There’s no timetable for Romo to ascend a mound.
Angel Pagan (left n hamstring) and Joe Panik (groin) continued to make enough progress that the Giants are not considering putting either player on the disabled list.