MESA, Ariz. – Right-hander Jeff Samardzija pitched out of enough trouble to get through three innings with the lead in the Cubs' 6-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday.

Samardzija – a candidate to start Opening Day at Pittsburgh on April 1 – walked three, including two when he loaded the bases with none out in the second inning, was making his second spring start and became the first Cubs pitcher to get through three innings.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum has not named his Opening Day starter and said again Friday he plans to do that closer to the middle of the month. Right-handers Matt Garza, who has been slowed this spring by a lateral strain, and Edwin Jackson, who pitches Sunday, are the other candidates.