ANGELS NOTEBOOK: EYES ON SCOREBOARD? SCIOSCIA DOESN'T WATCH, BUT VAUGHN DOES.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

CHICAGO - Manager Mike Scioscia claims he doesn't watch the scoreboard. Not all of his players, however, follow his lead.

``I've been scoreboard watching since two weeks ago, since the All-Star break, really,'' first baseman Mo Vaughn said. ``I always look at that thing.''

Vaughn said it shouldn't be a distraction to look at the scoreboard to see what other playoff contenders are doing. It should motivate.

``This is the time when every single at-bat, every single pitch, every single play is crucial,'' Vaughn said. ``Every situation is very important. We only have (27) games left. We have to capitalize on every situation.''

--Let's meet: The Angels held a players-only team meeting before Saturday's game for the first time this season. Scioscia wasn't invited but he got word of what went on in the meeting, which lasted about 20 minutes.

``The gist of the meeting was, 'We've come this far playing hard, let's stay on the path we're on, come out with the same intensity and desire we've had,' '' Scioscia said. ``At the same time, you don't want to create a sense of urgency that makes people tighten up. But I don't sense that at all with these guys.''

Scioscia said he has no problem with players calling meetings.

``I think it's good,'' he said. ``Interaction of players is very important. Whether it's a formal meeting or informal, with guys talking to each other in the outfield during batting practice, communication is important.''

--Odds and ends: Garret Anderson had three RBI in Saturday's game to improve his season total to 94, a career high. . . . Bryan Ward, acquired from the Phillies on Aug. 16, made his Angels debut Saturday, giving up three runs and three hits in one inning. . . . Darin Erstad's 26 stolen bases this season are the most by an Angel since Chad Curtis had 48 in 1993. . . . Tim Salmon is hitless in his past 14 at-bats.