ANGELS NOTEBOOK: VAUGHN FAILED TO LURE JOHNSON.

Byline: Joe Haakenson

They hugged each other during batting practice Friday afternoon, something the Angels would have liked to see more often this season.

But unfortunately for the Angels, Mo Vaughn and Randy Johnson are not teammates. After the Angels signed Vaughn to a six-year, $80 million deal Nov. 25, they pursued Johnson.

Johnson reportedly chose the Angels only to change his mind and sign a four-year, $53 million with the Diamondbacks, despite the efforts of Vaughn.

Vaughn and Johnson developed a friendship when Vaughn played in Boston and Johnson in Seattle.

``I know the type of player he is and what he means to a ballclub,'' Vaughn said. ``I tried to get him to come here, but sometimes family is more important.''

So just how did Johnson, who lives in the Phoenix suburb of Paradise Valley, and Vaughn become friends?

``Because I'm the only left-hander that faces him,'' Vaughn said. ``It's a little thing we got going. It takes a certain attitude (for a left-handed hitter) to stand in there against him. You have to respect him because he's so tough, so nasty. We became friends because I never backed away.

``When we were in Boston or Seattle, he always looked over and tipped his cap out of respect. He's the toughest in the business. When I did face him it settled me down for the rest of the season. Because after you faced him, you could walk up there with confidence against anybody.''

Unexpected help? Help could soon be on the way for the Angels, though it's not quite what they've been waiting for.

Tim Salmon and Jim Edmonds are not healthy enough to play, but the Angels might get some desperately needed punch in the lineup from Matt Luke, who began playing at Triple-A Edmonton earlier in the week.

In five games through Thursday, Luke is 9 for 18 with five homers and 15 RBI. He hadn't played since spring training after straining his back lifting weights during the offseason.

``He's got great power, but we've got to find out how healthy he is,'' manager Terry Collins said. ``He's been out two months, we've got to make sure he's OK.''

Luke spent most of last season with the Dodgers, hitting .236 with 12 homers and 34 RBI in 102 games.

DiSarcina update: Shortstop Gary DiSarcina played four innings for single-A Lake Elsinore on Friday night, going 0 for 3 at the plate and making one putout and one assist on defense. In two games for the Storm, DiSarcina is 1 for 4 with a walk. He is expected to DH tonight.

ANGELS vs. ARIZONA

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

TV/Radio: Fox Sports West; KLAC-AM (570), XPRS-AM (1090).

Matchup: Chuck Finley (4-6, 4.35 ERA) will start for Anaheim against Arizona's Andy Benes (4-5, 5.40). Tonight's game will be the Angels' eighth in a nine-game stretch against National League teams. Because they're at home, Mo Vaughn has returned to the DH spot, his sore left ankle still giving him trouble. ``We just want to make sure he's OK,'' Angels manager Terry Collins said. ``I want to make sure I get four at-bats out of him.'' In the final two games in San Francisco, Vaughn had to leave early because his ankle stiffened.

- Joe Haakenson

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

Photo: Not even Mo Vaughn's charm could bring fireballer Randy Johnson to Anaheim.

Daily News file photo

Box: ANGELS vs. ARIZONA (See text)