Giants’ Samardzija puts ‘pedal to metal’ in first Cactus League start

Giants’ Samardzija puts ‘pedal to metal’ in first Cactus League start

Jeff Samardzija threw his first two innings in a Giants uniform in Wednesday's Cactus League opener.

Ninety-nine percent of experienced pitchers in their first exhibition start would continue to work on getting their fastballs over the plate, but not Samardzija.

Samardzija noticed a lot of prospects watching from the top step of the dugout and wanted to set an example.

Samardzija struggled with fastball command out of the stretch and walked consecutive hitters with one out to laod the bases before Rafael Ortega hit a sacrifice fly and Johnny Giavotella grounded out to end the inning.

The right-hander admitted to "first day of school jitters" but said he liked the way the ball came out of his hands as well as his first chance to pitch to Posey in a game.