- Associated Press - Sunday, April 8, 2012

CHICAGO (AP) — Jeff Samardzija dominated into the ninth inning, outpitching Jordan Zimmermann, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Washington Nationals 4-3 Sunday for their first win of the Theo Epstein era.

Samardzija was simply spectacular in his sixth career start, allowing four hits and an earned run. He struck out eight without a walk as the Cubs shook off two wrenching losses to start the season.

There were no bullpen meltdowns this time after Kerry Wood and Carlos Marmol failed to hold late leads in each of the first two games, but there was some drama in the ninth.

Adam LaRoche hit a two-run homer after Starlin Castro made a two-out error to extend the inning.

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