PITTSBURGH, July 23 (UPI) -- Jeff Samardzija allowed only one hit over eight efficient innings Monday and the Chicago Cubs edged Pittsburgh 2-0.
Samardzija (7-8) yielded only a fourth-inning single to Andrew McCutchen. He threw 71 of his 99 pitches for strikes.
The right-hander allowed only one walk and struck out five while Carlos Marmol earned his 12th save for the Cubs, who snapped a three-game slide in taking the opener of a three-game set.
Alfonso Soriano drove in both Chicago runs with RBI doubles in the fourth and ninth innings.
Erik Bedard (5-11) was tagged with the loss despite striking out 11 over seven innings for the Pirates. He allowed only two hits while walking two.
The second-place Bucs entered the contest one-half game behind Cincinnati in the National League Central.
