The scoreboard read another loss for the Mariners, 6-4 to the Indians, and a 3-4 spring record.

The real story is that Jason Vargas may have gone a big step toward winning the fifth starting job with his second straight solid outing --- no runs, two hits, one walk, one strikeout, in 3.2 innings. He now has allowed no runs and three hits in 5.2 innings this spring and also had a scoreless inning in the intrasquad game.

Manager Don Wakamatsu later called Vargas' work "outstanding'' and that he thinks Vargas is in better shape and seems more confident than a year ago.

Vargas thought he would throw only three innings, but he was efficient enough that he hadn't hit his pitch count yet and went out for a fourth, getting two outs before being pulled.

"I was just throwing strikes, trying not to get behind in counts and (let the offense) put the ball in play early,'' he said.

It's a mantra of the pitchers competing for jobs on this team to profess that they aren't stressing over their situations. But Wakamatsu made a point of saying again today that Doug Fister looked nervous Monday while Vargas looked calm today.

Vargas said not worrying about such things is something he's always done well.

"One of my strong points is being able to put that in the back of my mind,'' he said. "Were the results always there? No. But being able to keep that out of my mind and just focus on the task at hand, I've always been all right at that.''

Two other contenders for that job, Luke French and Garrett Olson, are scheduled to pitch Wednesday against the Rangers in Surprise (Cliff Lee is starting) so this battle could start to take some real shape soon.

As I know some of you have noted, Vargas is a lefty, and if he wins this, that would mean three lefties in the rotation --- Lee and Ryan Rowland-Smith the others.

While the Mariners have five straight weeks with off days following the first week of the season, they also begin the season with 10 games in 10 days, so whoever wins the fifth starter job figures to get a couple starts early before the Mariners may then be able to massage things a bit to work around it if they want.

IN OTHER NEWS. ...

--- Dustin Ackley caught Wakamatsu's eye with a couple of hard hit balls, one for a single, and staying strong and turning a double at second. "I think he's a good ball player,'' Wakamatsu said. "He's going to need some time, but overall seen a lot of good things. He hit the ball hard up the middle the first time off the pitcher's glove. He knows how to play the game.''

--- Another mistake-free six innings at short for Matt Tuiasosopo, who had three assists and two putouts. He also had two walks and is hitting .467. Said Wakamatsu: "I like what I see so far. Something that we've asked him to do is be as versatile as possible. He gives us some offensive plusses compared to some of the other guys (vying for utility roles) so it's going to be a big key for him. We can get a good look at him at short and he can fill in at that position, gives us some strength.''

--- Reliever David Aardsma threw a bullpen session that Wakamatsu said went well. He could return as early as Friday.

--- Franklin Gutierrez, who hadn't played until Monday while nursing a sore shoulder, got his second straight start in center and went 2-2 and also uncorked a long throw on a tag-up play. Wakamatsu said Gutierrez was fine afterward "which is a good sign.''

--- While Seattle lost, the M's had nine hits and six walks, which Wakamatsu said overall was a decent offensive day. "I thought we swung the bat well ... what really killed us were the two double plays. ... overall I thought we had a pretty good approach.''

--- The team is expected to make its first cuts tomorrow.

--- With the game being in Surprise, a few players won't make the trip, including Ken Griffey Jr., and Lopez.