The Chicago Cubs (3-10) lost their fifth straight game on Thursday afternoon as the Miami Marlins (7-6) scored big early to win 5-3.
SP Jeff Samardzija (L, 2-1) got the start for the Cubs, but struggled with his control. He finished only 3.2 IP with 5 BB and 3 K. In the fourth inning, Samardzija took a glancing blow from a line drive but remained in the game for another hitter and appeared to have sustained no major damage. The score, however, was already in great disrepair. The Marlins struck early when Samardzija allowed two walks and two singles, leading to a 2-0 Marlins lead.
The Cubs responded in the second inning when 2B Darwin Barney hit a two-out, bases-loaded triple for a 3-2 Cubs lead, but the advantage did not last long as the Marlins tacked on another three runs in the bottom of the fourth for a 5-2 lead. Both teams' bullpens dominated the later innings as neither team could score after the start of the fourth, leaving the Cubs with yet another loss.
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