Samardzija solid as Cubs rally past Giants

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Chicago Cubs overcame Matt Cain's five perfect innings by capitalizing on San Francisco's seventh-inning defensive lapses to claim a 3-2 Cactus League decision over the Giants.

Trailing, 2-1, the Cubs rallied in the seventh against left-hander Jeremy Affeldt, who yielded Mike Olt's one-out single. After Donnie Murphy singled, Chris Coghlan also singled on a ball that second baseman Tony Abreu appeared ready to catch but instead deflected into right field as Olt scored. Throwing errors by shortstop Brandon Crawford and Abreu on Ryan Roberts' potential double-play grounder enabled pinch-runner Christian Villanueva to score.

Making his second Cactus League start, Cain struck out seven, fanning at least one in each inning. He also coaxed four ground balls and four popups or flyouts. Olt came closest to collecting a hit off Cain, sending a second-inning line drive to shallow center field that Gregor Blanco caught.

"I threw good pitches when I was ahead on the count, which is always nice," Cain said. "At times you feel like you get in good counts and you're not able to finish guys, but today we were able to do that."

"It's exciting to see a guy out there competing like Cain does," Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija said. "He's that type of guy who comes out and takes the ball every fifth day and I guarantee you every time he takes the ball, his manager has a good feeling they'll win that game."

Samardzija struck out four in three innings before lapsing. Michael Morse singled to lead off the fourth inning and Hunter Pence doubled one out later. Both rushed home as Pablo Sandoval grounded a 1-1 pitch past shortstop.

"They're a great team to work against, a former world championship team," Samardzija said. "They come with a plan, a lot of smart players who have played together for a long time. You really get tested on days like this. I thought it went excellent. I gave up a couple runs, and singles that score runs, you can live with that."

Chicago halved the difference in the sixth inning against left-hander David Huff, who made his Cactus League debut after enduring shoulder problems. Roberts delivered a leadoff single, moved to second base on a wild pitch and scored on Emilio Bonifacio's two-out single.

Up next: Travis Wood takes the mound Tuesday when the Cubs play host to the Rockies at Cubs Park in Mesa. This will be the lefty's second Cactus League start. Wood can only hope to build off his last outing against the Indians when he gave up only one hit over three innings and struck out three. Manager Rick Renteria's assessment: "Excellent -- down in the zone, commanded all his pitches." The game will be broadcast on Cubs.com.