Cubs 5, Mariners 3 (11): Alfonso Soriano smashed a two-run homer in the top of the 11th inning as visiting Chicago defeated Seattle.

Nate Schierholtz led off the 10th with a drag bunt single against Oliver Perez (2-2) before Soriano crushed a 1-2 pitch over the right-center field fence to cap a three-hit, three-RBI performance. Carlos Villanueva (2-4) worked a flawless 10th and Blake Parker retired the side in order in the 11th for his first major-league save.

Seattle tied the score with two outs in the ninth when Endy Chavez singled against Kevin Gregg to score Michael Saunders from second. The blown save was Gregg’s first in 13 opportunities.

Chicago’s Starlin Castro hit a first-inning homer but Seattle’s Justin Smoak homered in the second to tie the score and Dustin Ackley singled in a run later in the inning. The Cubs took a 3-2 lead in the sixth when Schierholtz and Soriano hit back-to-back run-scoring singles.

Jeff Samardzija allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings for Chicago. Mariners starter Aaron Harang gave up three runs and five hits in eight innings.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Chicago has homered in a season-best nine consecutive games. … Saunders (spiked finger) was unable to bat or play in the field so Seattle gave up the designated hitter when Ackley (left thumb) departed in the ninth after missing a diving attempt in center field. … Cubs CF Ryan Sweeney (ribs) left after the third inning not long after banging into the center-field fence and is day-to-day.