Felix good to go for Friday's start in Boston

PHILADELPHIA -- Mariners ace Felix Hernandez said Monday his hip is fine after taking a one-hopper off the bat of Ian Kinsler in the fourth inning of his last start on Saturday in Detroit.

"I'm good," Hernandez said upon arrival at Citizens Bank Park for the Mariners' three-game series with the Phillies.

Hernandez is slated to start Friday when Seattle opens a three-game set in Boston and manager Lloyd McClendon said there's no question the 28-year-old will be ready to roll after his five-inning outing in Detroit, which was the first time he'd thrown less than seven innings in his previous 18 starts.

Hernandez was lifted after 92 pitches, with the five innings equaling his low for the season and ending his Major League-record streak of 16 consecutive starts of seven or more innings with two or less runs allowed.

The American League's ERA leader may skip his between-starts bullpen session this week, but McClendon said that isn't unusual.

"He's fine," McClendon said. "He may push [his bullpen] back. I'm not sure. Sometimes he pushes it back, sometimes he doesn't even throw. But he's fine."