ANGELS NOTEBOOK: HILL TO PITCH IN SEATTLE.

Byline: Marc J. Spears Daily News Staff Writer

Whether it will matter is uncertain, but the Angels are retooling their pitching rotation in hopes of chasing down first-place Seattle, which is five games in front.

On Sunday, the Angels announced that pitcher Ken Hill will start Wednesday in Seattle instead of Jason Dickson, who will be moved to Thursday against Texas in Anaheim. Because of today's off day, Hill will be pitching on four days rest.

On Friday, Hill pitched his first complete game in nearly a year against Texas, the club that traded him to Anaheim on July 29. In the right-hander's past five starts, he has given up six earned runs on 17 hits in 39 innings.

Hill also has big-game experience while Dickson, a rookie, doesn't. Hill pitched in the 1995 World Series with Cleveland and the '96 American League postseason with the Rangers.

``That is why they got me here,'' said Hill, who wasn't surprised by the move. ``Just for this situation, a down-the-stretch playoff situation. That is what it is all about.

``I like it and I'm not afraid of failure. Win or lose, I don't mind being in this situation.

Erstad update: The Angels' Darin Erstad batted soft toss for the first time since he had an MRI on his right shoulder Sept. 15 that showed irregularities of the labrum. The first baseman, who has missed six straight games, has a good chance of playing Tuesday at Seattle, according to Angels head athletic trainer Ned Bergert.

Manager Terry Collins, however, said he would only be used as a pinch-hitter. A final determination on Erstad's availability will be made after batting practice Tuesday.