Jeff Samardzija pulled after only two innings in NLDS Game 2

Jeff Samardzija struggled against the Cubs on Saturday. (AP)

Jeff Samardzija said he would reward Bruce Bochy’s faith in him after being handed the start for Saturday’s NLDS Game 2 against the Chicago Cubs.

But he did not.

The big San Francisco Giants righthander gave up four runs and six hits in just two innings of work, exiting the game with his team trailing 4-0. The poor outing gave further ammo to those who believed Bochy should have started Matt Moore in Game 2.

Samardzija’s troubles started early as Cubs leadoff hitter Dexter Fowler doubled off the right field wall. After retiring both Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, Samardzija gave up a RBI single to Ben Zobrist on a bloop to right field.

Jason Heyward then led off the second inning with a double down the right field line. An ensuing walk to Javy Baez and single from Willson Contreras set up a two-RBI bloop single from opposing pitcher Kyle Hendricks. A RBI single from Kris Bryant finished the scoring on Samardzija, who pitched for the Cubs from 2008 to 20014.

One bright spot: Samardzija was pulled for pinch hitter Gregor Blanco in the top of the third. Blanco doubled home Joe Panik for the Giants’ first run of the night. Two runs by the Giants in the inning cut the Cubs’ lead to 4-2.

Samardzija was replaced in the bottom of the third by George Kontos, who went 1-2-3 in his first inning.

Samardzija’s performance may have looked familiar to Cubs fans and not just because he came into the game holding a 3.88 ERA in 334 career innings at Wrigley Field. Samardzija’s last start at Wrigley came on Sept. 1 and featured a 47-pitch, three-run first inning.