Johnson's Tip Caps At-Bat -- M's Pitcher Promises Slider, Then Corners Hudler With A K

ANAHEIM - Randy Johnson's 12th victory wasn't his most overpowering, but don't tell Rex Hudler.

Hudler, playing only because of Bo Jackson's ejection for protesting a called third strike, became part of a scene usually reserved for movies.

The Angel hitter was at 0-2 when Johnson stepped off the mound to ask for a new ball.

"I told him to throw me something I could hit," Hudler said.

"I told him, `Here comes a slider,' " Johnson said. "He said, `OK.' Rex and I were roommates with Montreal and we really compete. He got me for three hits in Seattle. I wanted to get him this time."

But catcher Dan Wilson called for a fastball. "I shook him off," Johnson said. "I had promised Rex a slider."

So he threw a slider that was unhittable, diving like a jet fighter coming out of the sun to nip the outside corner.

"I didn't bother swinging," Hudler said. "The only thing I could have done was pull a muscle.

"You gotta tip your cap to Randy after that."