Mariners' Hernandez to make next start Saturday

The Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez will make his next start Saturday against the Oakland Athletics after getting a much-needed break.

Hernandez had his scheduled start Monday against the Houston Astros given to Vidal Nuno so he could head into September feeling fresh, an approach manager Lloyd McClendon had tried in the past with some success.

"I did the same thing last year to freshen my pitchers up, and Felix had the best September of his career," McClendon told reporters last Saturday. "Everybody thought I was nuts when I did, and I'll do it again because it's the right thing to do."

Hernandez has struggled to a 6.18 ERA over his last seven starts.

He is 15-8 with a 3.66 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 26 starts.