Peoria, Ariz. ? Kansas City starter Jeremy Guthrie shut out Seattle on two hits for 5 2/3 innings Thursday, and the Royals defeated a Mariners split squad, 3-0.

Closer Greg Holland relieved and finished the sixth with a strikeout.

“It was good. Able to throw all my pitches for strikes and felt healthy and strong,” Guthrie said. “Kept it down for the most part.”

Seattle’s Felix Hernandez pitched two-hit ball for six innings in his longest outing of the spring.

Hernandez, the ace who led the AL with a 2.14 earned-run average last season, allowed one run. He struck out four and walked none.

“Changeup was nice, slider was good, fastball was unbelievable,” Hernandez said. “Got a lot of ground balls. It was good.”

Manager Lloyd McClendon thought so, too.

“Very good outing, one that I was anxious to see. It was very important to get him built up, get him up and down five or six times. He got the pitch count up where he needed to be,” McClendon said.

Hernandez retired the side in order in four of his six innings. A leadoff double by Christian Colon followed by a wild pitch and Jarrod Dyson’s sacrifice fly in the third produced the Royals’ run against Hernandez.

Ryan Jackson hit a two-run single with two outs in the eighth off reliever Danny Farquhar, who is in contention for a Seattle bullpen job.

Royals relievers Jason Frasor, Kelvin Herrera and Ryan Madson each pitched a scoreless inning.

Madson hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2011 because of complications from previous injuries.

“We’re really pleased with what he’s done so far. That’s been a really good find for us,” Royals manager Ned Yost said.

Bullpen battle

The competition remains open for what might be six of seven bullpen spots on the Mariners’ opening-day roster, with right-handed closer Fernando Rodney the only sure thing. Two of the spots could be for left-handers with four more for right-handers. Charlie Furbush figures to be one lefty — he threw a scoreless inning Thursday. Veteran Joe Saunders and rookies Tyler Olson and David Rollins are competing to be the second lefty.

Olson continued to make his case Thursday, retiring the only batter he faced. He hasn’t allowed an earned run in eight spring appearances (9 2/3 innings).

Transaction

RHP Jandel Gustave was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres. Gustave, a former Rule 5 draft pick, was waived by the Royals earlier this week.

Starting time

Royals: Guthrie is already slotted as the fifth starter in the rotation. He’ll get one more spring training outing in Arizona and will throw at some point when the Royals play in Houston before the regular season starts.