Seattle 4, San Diego 1

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) -- Don't count Darrell May out of San Diego's starting rotation just yet.

May pitched five-hit ball over six scoreless innings, facing three batters over the minimum and striking out five in the Padres' 4-1 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Thursday.

Coming in, May had a 9.42 ERA after being rocked for eight runs and nine hits in only two-thirds of an inning. He seemed destined for long relief, especially after the Padres traded for Houston's Tim Redding on Monday.

"Maybe I just need a little fire under my belt to get going," May said. "I am a notoriously slow starter. Today, I trusted my stuff. I felt confident in my fastball and my location."

Last November, the Padres traded for May, who was 9-19 in 31 starts for Kansas City last season.

"No doubt about it, this was an outstanding outing," Padres pitching coach Darrel Kernels said. "I saw a very determined you man out there. He had great command, got the ball in on left-handed hitters and got the ball in on right-handers, too."

Acting manager Tony Muser said there's been no decision about whether May or Redding will be the No. 5 starter.

"We'll have to sit down and look at a lot of things before making the final decision," Muser said.

The Padres led 1-0 in the sixth after Adam Hyzdu's RBI single, but Seattle rallied for four runs in the eighth. Willie Bloomquist tripled to drive in two runs.

"The thing I really liked today was our pitching and the way the young guys showed they can play the game," Seattle manager Mike Hargrove said.

Mariners starter Gil Meche threw a four-hitter over six innings, allowing one run with seven strikeouts. Julio Mateo struck out the side in the ninth to earn a save.< ^Notes: Seattle RF Ichiro Suzuki extended his club record hitting streak to 19 games with a sixth-inning single. ... Most of San Diego's opening day starters and manager Bruce Bochy had already returned home. The Padres play their Lake Elsinore farm club Saturday before opening at Colorado. ... Mariners RHP Joel Pineiro pitched 4 1-3 innings in a minor league game, giving up four hits and two runs. Pineiro has been limited to two starts this spring because a stiff right shoulder. ... LHP Eddie Guardado, Seattle's closer, threw 18 pitches to five batters in a minor league game. Slowed by a strained right hamstring, he'll pitch in camp Friday and then join the team in Las Vegas for Saturday's final exhibition game against the Cubs. ... Seattle SS Pokey Reese, out with a sore shoulder, played catch. GM Bill Bavasi was "hopeful" Reese can play opening day.