BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Start No. 664 Is No Different to Blyleven

Bert Blyleven will have a tough act to follow tonight: his own. Blyleven, 41, pitched seven shutout innings against the Cleveland Indians last Saturday to earn his first major league victory in nearly two years and a chance to start tonight. He will approach his 664th career start as he approached those that preceded it.

“I’m sure I’ll be nervous. I’m nervous before every game,” said Blyleven, who is tied with Tom Seaver for third in strikeouts with 3,640. “Hopefully, I can pitch six or seven strong innings and keep the ballclub in the game.”

Angel executive Whitey Herzog acknowledged that he spoke with Lou Gorman, the Boston Red Sox’s general manager, but said they didn’t get close to a deal. Printed reports quoted Gorman as saying Herzog rejected a trade in which the Angels would have picked up a large contract, perhaps that of Jack Clark. It is believed that the Angels’ interest centered on outfielder Mike Greenwell.

Infielder Bobby Rose, nearly recovered from the sprained right ankle he suffered in the May 21 bus accident, will probably be sent to triple-A Edmonton or Class-A Palm Springs on rehabilitation assignment when he is activated. . . . Herzog’s visit to County Stadium was his first since 1982, when he managed the St. Louis Cardinals to a World Series championship over the Brewers.