ANGELS NOTEBOOK: ANGELS AGAIN DEAL WITH DISTRACTIONS.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - The Angels have been here before. In the middle of a pennant race in 1997, leadoff hitter Tony Phillips was arrested for smoking crack in an Anaheim hotel room. The Angels eventually fell out of the race.

Tuesday's announcement that pitcher Jarrod Washburn is being investigated for an alleged sexual assault is similar, but not the same according to one Angel who was there in '97.

``From a media standpoint it's not any different,'' right fielder Tim Salmon said. ``But in this case we don't know enough details to make a judgment. He's our teammate and we stand behind him.''

The Angels have been good this season at blocking out distractions, but they haven't faced anything like this, particularly one involving such a prominent player. Washburn, the club's opening-day starter, is 17-5 with a 3.32 ERA.

``The bottom line is we've still got to play, and we're still in a pennant race,'' Salmon said. ``That in itself is a motivating force. From our standpoint, we've got business to do, and we've got the kind of players who won't let this be a distraction.''

Manager Mike Scioscia said he believes his players won't be affected by Washburn's situation.

``This club's going to keep its focus,'' Scioscia said. ``We know what needs to be done on the field. Although this is difficult, our club will be able to maintain its focus and play baseball.''

General manager Bill Stoneman said he felt the same way.

``I've never been around a club that had this focus,'' Stoneman said. ``This is one more test. I think the players are up for it.''

--Glaus out: Third baseman Troy Glaus was scratched from Tuesday's lineup because he had soreness in the ring finger and middle finger of his left hand. He hurt the fingers sliding head-first into second base Monday night.

First baseman Scott Spiezio was moved to third base and Shawn Wooten started at first. Glaus is listed as day to day.

ANGELS vs. OAKLAND

Time: 7:05 p.m., Edison Field.

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net; 570-AM, 1090-AM (Spanish).

Matchup: Angels RH John Lackey (8-3, 3.32 ERA) will face Oakland RH Cory Lidle (8-10, 3.86). Lackey was 8-2 at Triple-A Salt Lake this season before being called up in June, making him 16-5 overall. Lidle was the American League pitcher of the month after going 5-0 with a 0.19 ERA in six starts. But he was the losing pitcher in his last start, a 6-0 loss to the Twins that ended the A's 20-game winning streak.

- Joe Haakenson

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