Scioscia Flip-Flops on This Lineup Issue

Dissatisfied with the production of a batting order featuring Garret Anderson and Vladimir Guerrero hitting third and fourth, Manager Mike Scioscia has switched the sluggers back to their more accustomed spots.

Guerrero will hit third and Anderson fourth -- when Anderson returns to the lineup. The center fielder was scratched Friday with tendinitis in his left knee but was available to pinch-hit and is expected to return today against the Kansas City Royals.

Guerrero and Anderson had hit three-four in every game they played together until July 6, when Scioscia flipped them in the order, trying to revive an offense that had scored three runs or fewer in 14 of its previous 30 games.

But Scioscia said Friday that he wanted Guerrero batting ahead of Anderson because Guerrero had a higher on-base percentage -- .379 to Anderson’s .355.

“Getting a higher on-base percentage guy ahead of Garret and Jose Guillen gives us a chance to keep innings going,” Scioscia said.

“What’s going to become more and more important as we move through these last couple of months ... is your ability to pressure clubs, particularly early in the game to get to a position where every pitch isn’t going to be life or death. This might help that.”

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Kansas City utility man Wilton Guerrero said he’d wanted his younger brother, Vladimir, to sign with the Dodgers but was pleased when Vladimir signed a five-year, $70-million contract to become the Angels’ right fielder.

“He was close to signing with the Dodgers, then something happened,” Wilton said, referring to the Dodgers’ concerns that signing Vladimir might complicate Frank McCourt’s purchase of the team. “When he told me about Anaheim, I told him it’s a good team. We like California.”

Wilton Guerrero, trying to revive his once-promising career, last sat in the dugout across from his brother during the 1997 season, when Wilton played for the Dodgers and Vladimir for the Montreal Expos.

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Andres Galarraga went hitless in four at-bats in his debut Thursday with triple-A Salt Lake. Jeff DaVanon, in his first rehabilitation game with the Stingers, went one for two with a stolen base.... Anderson will be inducted in November into the Arizona Fall League’s Hall of Fame, established to honor the top major leaguers who played in the league. Anderson played for the Tempe Rafters in 1993.... Troy Percival will be honored on Fox Sports Net on Tuesday, before the Angels play the Baltimore Orioles at Angel Stadium, for posting his 300th save.