Extreme heat and howling winds made for a home-run heaven for hitters, but it wreaked havoc on defenders and even got dangerous, with an umpire and Mariners pitcher leaving the game.

The Mariners lost to the Cubs in a game that featured five home runs, surely aided some by the wind, some erratic fielding and a couple of scary moments.

The conditions figured to be the story of Saturday’s Mariners game here against the Cubs even before it began, with the forecast calling for extreme heat buffeted by high winds.

The Seattle Mariners (37-36) and Chicago Cubs (45-29) begin a 3-game series Friday. First pitch from Wrigley Field in Chicago is set for 2:20 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's MLB odds around the Mariners vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

What does that mean for Mariners roster? Mariners DFA Rowdy Tellez to make room for Luke Raley's return ; Washington Stat

Chicago Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga, on the injured list since May 5 with a left hamstring strain, will return and pitch in St. Louis next week.

Left-hander Shota Imanaga will rejoin the Chicago Cubs early next week in St. Louis following a sharp Triple-A rehab start on Friday

Jameson Taillon was relaxing at home on Friday night when he decided to check in on Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga. The veteran pitcher logged into the team’s Ivy database and watched Imanaga’s latest rehab start with Triple-A Iowa.

Sammy Sosa returned to Wrigley Field on Friday for the first time since his final game as a member of the Chicago Cubs in 2004.

The relationship between Sammy Sosa and the Chicago Cubs has been contentious since his ugly departure in 2004, but the two sides have now reconciled.

Former Cubs great Sammy Sosa, who once was the face of Chicago’s Friendly Confines, made his long-anticipated return to the place he used to hit towering home runs and flash his big smile.