PCL: Isotopes fend off Iowa, Notre Dame's Samardzija

Lee Yobbi | The New Mexican

6/24/2008 - 6/25/08

ALBUQUERQUE — Jeff Samardzija was once a star, bona fide, at the nation's most fabled football university.

He reflected greatness in front of millions on network television each weekend for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. His name peppers the school's record book as a wide receiver: Most touchdowns in a season (15 in 2005) and most receptions in a season (78 in 2006), just to name a couple.

But Samardzija's talents extended past the football field. He was also a standout pitcher for the Irish, and in 2006 he made the difficult decision to forgo football where he almost certainly would have been drafted into the NFL.

Instead, Samardzija signed a contract with the Chicago Cubs organization after being drafted in the sixth round.

Samardzija, the 6-foot-5, 220-pound righty, made his Triple-A debut Tuesday at Isotopes Park. A pro baseball star he is not. At least not yet. Samardzija looked like a player feeling his way up as Albuquerque eased past the Iowa Cubs 4-2 in the Pacific Coast League in front of 8,563 fans.

Samardzija went six innings, giving up three earned runs on seven hits while striking out five in the loss. But he impressed at least one observer in the process.

"He really attacked," said Albuquerque manager Dean Treanor, who was in his first game back following a three-game suspension. "He wasn't afraid to come in on guys. (The Cubs) are high on him, you can see why."

The Isotopes (37-40) ended a two-game losing streak and Dallas McPherson extended his string of home runs to five games in the finale of a four-game series. McPherson, the 'Topes third baseman, leads the PCL with 26 homers.

The Cubs (45-34) jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the first frame on a solo shot from Andres Torres, but Albuquerque answered with an RBI-single from John Baker in the second.

Torres hit another solo homer in the third to cap Iowa's scoring. McPherson's 26th bomb came in the fourth. The game was tied on a solo blast, which cleared the entire picnic pavilion in left field.

Albuquerque went ahead on Jason Wood's RBI-double in the sixth. The Isotopes took care of the rest with their bullpen and defense in what was possibly their best home performance of the year.

"A lot of good things happened," Treanor said. "You pitch, you play defense and get big hits, that's all you can ask for."

Albuquerque, which had a knack for losing leads of late, was not victim to that again. Chris Seddon (6-5) got the win and Marc Gwyn carded his fourth save while the Isotopes turned three double-plays on the night.

Albuquerque's fortune was part of a rocky introduction for Samardzija.

Notes: Albuquerque right-hander Frankie De La Cruz is being called up to the parent Florida Marlins for a second time and should be active in the bullpen today against Tampa Bay. A big-leaguer will be sent down, but Treanor wasn't sure Tuesday whom that would be. Isotopes catcher Torre Langley is expected to be sent down to Double-A Carolina.