Cano scratched with illness, misses first start of '14

SEATTLE -- The Mariners used a different No. 3 hitter for the first time this season Thursday night.

Second baseman Robinson Cano, who had started all 52 of Seattle's games, was scratched a few hours before the series finale against the Angels because he wasn't feeling well.

Right fielder Michael Saunders took his No. 3 spot in the order, while Nick Franklin switched from designated hitter to Cano's second base spot. Meanwhile, rookie outfielder Stefen Romero went from having the night off against right-hander Matt Shoemaker (2-1, 3.18 ERA) to DHing and batting sixth.

Cano entered Thursday tied for first in the Major Leagues with 22 multi-hit games. In his last 16 games, he's hitting .409 (27-for-66). He has posted a .327/.371/.420 slash line with 11 doubles, two home runs and 31 RBIs in his first season with the Mariners since signing a 10-year, $240 million contract last December.

Prior to Thursday, Cano had played in 1,172 out of a possible 1,186 games since 2007, the most of any player in baseball during that stretch.