BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Hudler Dreams of Sweet Spots, but Reality Is an 0-for-4 Night

Last July, Rex Hudler walked up to Texas outfielder Rusty Greer, shook his hand and said, “You owe me a dinner for setting you up with the greatest catch of your career.”

Greer’s diving catch of Hudler’s line drive leading off the ninth inning helped preserve Kenny Rogers’ perfect game against the Angels on July 28 at the Ballpark in Arlington.

“I set him up for a career catch,” Hudler said Wednesday.

Hudler faced Rogers, a left-hander, as Manager Marcel Lachemann loaded his lineup with right-handed hitters.

“I went to bed last night trying to visualize what he was going to throw me and I visualized hitting it on the sweet spot,” Hudler said.

Hudler went 0 for 4 against the Rangers.

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Lachemann had to juggle his lineup when first baseman J.T. Snow came down with flu-like symptoms and could not start. A switch-hitter with a .400 average (six for 15) against Rogers, Snow had started all 57 games. Carlos Martinez started at first base. Hudler replaced Greg Myers as the designated hitter, Tony Phillips moved from third base to left field and Spike Owen played third.

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Designated hitter Chili Davis, on the disabled list because of a strained left hamstring, started his running program in a swimming pool and lifted weights. . . . Reliever Mike James, who suffered a bruised right shoulder when he was hit by Greer’s line drive Tuesday, played catch in the outfield.