Mariners starter Vidal Nuno did not make anyone forget Felix Hernandez on Monday, but he performed well enough against visiting Baltimore to make a case for remaining in the rotation.
Nuno gave up two runs on five hits in five innings with no walks and five strikeouts, but was saddled with the loss.
He battled back after allowing a solo home run to Adam Jones in the first. A single in the fourth by Chris Davis tallied the only other run he surrendered.
Nuno pitched poorly in his first start with Seattle, but his effort Monday proved encouraging and lowered his ERA since joining the team to 3.00.