BASEBALL DAILY REPORT

Rex Hudler has hit home runs in four consecutive games--one shy of the Angel record set by Bobby Bonds in 1977--and his two-run shot in Baltimore’s Camden Yards on Wednesday night was his eighth of 1996, which ties his career high for homers in a season.

Hudler has two more homers than No. 3 batter Tim Salmon, who has averaged 29 homers and 90 runs batted in during the past three seasons.

But there hasn’t been any ribbing between the two.

“He’s a little sensitive about things like that,� Hudler said of Salmon. “I wouldn’t go up to him and say, ‘Hey, Fish, what’s up with this?’ You can build a team around Tim Salmon. The Wonder Dog? I don’t think so.�

Hudler, a utility player who has batted leadoff and started at second base for the last five games, says it’s only a matter of time before Salmon, who is batting .272 with six homers and 21 RBIs, regains his power stroke.

“Tim hasn’t hit near where he’s capable of hitting, and that’s a scary thought for opposing pitchers,� Hudler said. “He’s a lethal weapon, he’s highly flammable, and he’s just waiting to go off.�