LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jeff Samardzija scattered three hits over five scoreless innings for a Chicago Cubs split squad in a 5-1 victory over the Texas Rangers on Saturday.
Samardzija struck out three and walked one.
The Cubs were unable to capitalize on Nate Schierholtz’s leadoff double in the second, but they took a 1-0 lead after Steve Clevenger opened the third with a double and Darwin Barney hit a one-out RBI single. The Cubs increased their lead to 2-0 on Starlin Castro’s sacrifice fly later in the third.
Scott Hairston opened the fourth with a homer to left that gave the Cubs a 3-0 lead.
The Cubs increased their lead to 5-0 in the fifth on RBI singles by Dioner Navarro and Brian Bogusevic.
Losing pitcher Nick Tepesch allowed five hits, three runs, struck out two and walked one over five innings for the Rangers.
