ANGELS NOTEBOOK: ANGELS ARE ON ALERT AS YANKEES ARRIVE.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - First baseman Scott Spiezio will not be hiding out in the bowels of Edison Field, waiting to pounce on Yankees pitcher Ted Lilly. Considering Lilly is now in the minor leagues, Spiezio would have to wait an awfully long time.

The Yankees are in town for a three-game series against the Angels beginning tonight, but Spiezio said he has no thoughts of revenge. Even though Lilly hit Spiezio in the head with a pitch on Aug. 5 at Yankee Stadium, Spiezio said he feels there is no bad blood with the Yankees.

``No, none at all,'' Spiezio said. ``Why should there be? If I was upset, it would be more at Lilly than the team. The team didn't hit me, Lilly hit me. He got a six-game suspension, which was fine with me. I wouldn't have said anything about it if he hit me anywhere but my head.''

Any series with the Yankees is big, especially late in the season. But Spiezio said the defending World Series champions are no different than any other team this time of season.

``Right now, every single game is huge,'' Spiezio said. ``We know we're going to have to play good against everybody. We've still got games against Seattle and Oakland. You can't pump up more for the Yankees than other teams. Right now it's pretty much red alert for every single game.''

--About Eckstein: The Angels not only have focused on pitching in trying to rebuild their minor-league system but also middle infield. David Eckstein has become the starting shortstop this season and also the club's leadoff hitter, but where he fits in beyond this season remains a question.

The club's top minor-league prospect is shortstop Alfredo Amezaga, who started the season at Double-A Arkansas before being promoted to Triple-A Salt Lake. The club is also high on shortstop Brian Specht, who is now at Arkansas. Wilmy Caceres, acquired in a trade for pitcher Seth Etherton, can play shortstop and second base.

Eckstein has played second base all his life, but it is a spot currently held by Adam Kennedy, who is only 25.

Despite his 5-foot-7, 170-pound frame, Eckstein is not necessarily a short-term fix at shortstop this season, according to manager Mike Scioscia.

--Playing Fossum: Tim Salmon was moved up from No 6 in the lineup to No. 5 Thursday, with Spiezio dropping from fifth to seventh. Scioscia said the change was a result of matchups with the left-handed Casey Fossum pitching for the Red Sox. Spiezio went into the game hitting just .230 vs. left-handers.

ANGELS vs. YANKEES

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

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

Matchup: Jarrod Washburn (11-6, 3.53 ERA) will start for Anaheim against New York's Andy Pettitte (14-7, 3.61). Pettitte and Washburn faced each other at Yankee Stadium Aug. 3, with Pettitte and the Yankees winning 4-2. Washburn ranks seventh in the league in ERA; Pettitte is tied for third in the league in wins.

- Joe Haakenson

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ANGELS vs. YANKEES (see text)