Vaughn Tries to Shrug Off Boston Return

Mo Vaughn returns to Boston on Friday, with Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez scheduled to be on the welcoming committee.

Martinez will start Friday’s game. Not that he’s looking forward to it. In fact, Martinez is already comparing it to when he faced his brother, former Dodger pitcher Ramon Martinez.

“I wish I never had to face Mo, just like I wished I never had to face Ramon,” Martinez said. “But it’s part of the game. I wish I had him on my side, but it didn’t work out that way.”

Vaughn is approaching his return to Boston in a business-like manner as well. “I don’t worry about Boston,” he said. “My life has changed. I had a nice career there. I’m hoping to have a nice career here. I hear the hype but I don’t want anything to do with it. I just want to go out there and help us win.”

After seven seasons with the Red Sox, Vaughn signed a six-year, $80-million deal with the Angels.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Detroit, three games.

* Site--Tiger Stadium.

* Today--4 PDT.

* Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090).

* Records--Angels 12-14, Tigers 12-14.

* 1998 vs. Detroit--8-3.

TODAY

ANGELS’ KEN HILL (1-1, 3.94 ERA)

vs.

TIGERS’ DAVE MLICKI (1-1, 2.35 ERA)

* Update--This starts a stretch in which the Angels will play 15 of 18 games on the road, with three home games squeezed between two East Coast trips. “They are using us like a pingpong ball,” Angel pitcher Omar Olivares said.

* Wednesday--Steve Sparks (0-3, 5.20) vs. Jeff Weaver (2-1, 2.45), 4 PDT.

* Thursday--Chuck Finley (1-2, 6.16) vs. Bryce Florie (0-0, 0.00), 4 PDT.