Giants Unable to Hold Early Lead, Fall to Cubs

CHICAGO — Jeff Samardzija's return to Wrigley Field nearly went off the rails in the first inning. Somehow he managed to leave Thursday's game with the lead, but the Giants couldn't hold on.Addison Russell hit a two-run single in the seventh that was the difference in the first of four games here. The Giants lost 5-4 to the best team in baseball on a night that started with plenty of promise for the offense. Mom of Girls Killed in River Crash Didn't Have License: CHP Hunter Pence gave Samardzija a 2-0 lead with a monstrous blast to left in the first, but Samardzija gave it back during the longest inning of his career. He needed 47 pitches to get through the first, with three runs scoring. Dexter Fowler started the trouble by working a 13-pitch walk to lead off. Three singles and a double got Matt Reynolds up in the bullpen, but Samardzija was able to keep his night alive. He intentionally walked David Ross and struck out opposing pitcher Mike Montgomery to finally end the nightmare inning.Montgomery wasn't any better, and he gave the lead right back. Samardzija's sacrifice fly tied the game in the top of the second, and an error put the Giants up 4-3 after three. Historic...