Chicago @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 28, 2013 ) Chi. Cubs 4, Seattle 5

The Seattle Mariners are sending signals that the second half will be a time for rebuilding as they host the Chicago Cubs on Saturday in the second contest of a three-game set. Catcher Mike Zunino delivered the game-winning single in the 10th inning on Friday in his 11th major-league game, second baseman Nick Franklin is batting .302 after 29 contests and shortstop Brad Miller had an RBI in his major-league debut. Chicago blew a three-run lead in Friday’s 5-4 loss.

The Cubs appeared headed to their fifth win in seven games before their bullpen let a late lead slip away, spoiling a strong outing from Travis Wood. Alfonso Soriano served as the designated hitter in the opener and smacked his first home run since June 8 to raise his career count to 380. Miller, who is replacing defensive whiz but light-hitting Brendan Ryan in Seattle's starting lineup, had a 22-game hitting streak at Triple-A Tacoma upon being recalled.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Jeff Samardzija (5-7, 3.39 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Aaron Harang (3-7, 5.29)

Samardzija has won back-to-back starts, giving up five earned runs in 15 1/3 innings against the St. Louis Cardinals and Houston Astros. He has walked two or fewer batters in 10 of his 16 starts. Samardzija is 3-5 with a 2.73 ERA in eight road starts this season.

Harang has pitched five or fewer innings in three of his last four starts, with the exception being a two-hit shutout against the Astros. He hasn’t issued a base on balls in five of his last eight outings and has walked only 11 in 12 starts. Harang is 11-8 with a 4.40 ERA in 26 career starts against the Cubs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Seattle OF Jason Bay smacked his 18th homer against Chicago pitching in the series opener.

2. Cubs SS Starlin Castro is batting .153 in June after being hitless in four at-bats on Friday.

3. Franklin is 9-for-23 with three multi-hit performances over the last five games.

PREDICTION: Cubs 4, Mariners 0