After they acquired him in what is likely to be the biggest trade of the season, Jeff Samardzija went out and dominated in his first start with the Oakland Athletics on Sunday. Samardzija went seven strong innings, only allowing one run, on four hits, and a walk. He also struck-out five, in Oakland’s 4-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Athletics landed Samardzija along with fellow RHP Jason Hammel in a late-night Friday trade with the Chicago Cubs. They had to give up their top prospect in SS Addison Russell, but this trade will help them tremendously as they are all-in for this season. Samardzija is already paying dividends with his fantastic start on Sunday afternoon.
It is ironic that Samardzija faced off against the Blue Jays in his first start with the Athletics. Toronto was the team who was most mentioned in trade rumors with the Cubs involving Samardzija, but they were not willing to up the ante to land the prize like Oakland was. The Blue Jays got a first-hand look at what they are missing out on when Samardzija fooled their offense for seven brilliant innings.
It was a team effort as usual for the Athletics’ offense on Sunday. John Jaso (2-3, with a double and an RBI), Stephen Vogt (2-4, with a triple and a run scored), Jed Lowrie (2-4, with a double and two runs scored) and Craig Gentry (2-3, with an RBI and a run scored) led the way for the A’s in their four run effort.
The offense was able to give him enough for the win, but Samardzija was easily the story in this one. At 55-33, the Athletics have the best record in all of baseball, and after the aggressive move by GM Billy Beane and the rest of their front office, Oakland is the clear favorite to win the World Series.