Cubs get their 1st W of the season 4-3 against the Nationals; Jeff Samardzija gets pie in face

The Cubs get their first W of the season 4-3 against the Washington Nationals and avoid being swept at the same time.

Although the ninth inning ended up being way more stressful than necessary since the Cubs were one out away from Jeff Samardzija pitching a complete game and their first win of the season when Starlin Castro made a bad throw to Bryan LaHair at first base on what should have been a routine play.  Then Samardzija allowed a 2-run home run to Adam LaRoche and the score goes from 4-1 Cubs to 4-3.

Manager Dale Sveum has Carlos Marmol come into the game and he proceeds to walk the first batter he faces.  But eventually he gets that last out and Wrigley Field is singing "Go Cubs Go" for the first time this season.  Phew!

Jeff Samardzija was excellent today and almost threw a complete game (photo from cubs.com)

The starting pitching so far this season has been excellent, but the same cannot be said for the team's relief pitching.  Hopefully this will improve very soon.

During Samardzija's post-game interview on the field, Matt Garza gets him in the face with a shaving cream pie, since he almost threw a complete game.  The last Cubs pitcher to throw a complete game was Randy Wells last season.

Matt Garza gives Jeff Samardzija a shaving cream pie in the face during his post-game interview (photo from Chicago Cubs)

The Cubs will play the Milwaukee Brewers in their first night game of the season at Wrigley tomorrow at 7:05pm CST.