Dodgers News: Hanley Ramirez In A Lot Of Pain, Won’t Talk To Media
In their first elimination game of the playoffs, the Dodgers responded with a power surge and hit four home runs en route to their 6-4 NLCS Game 5 victory. Adrian Gonzalez hit two home runs while Carl Crawford and A.J. Ellis hit solo home runs apiece as Zack Greinke tossed seven innings of two-run ball.
Hanley Ramirez and Andre Ethier were both back in the lineup, but while Ethier played all nine innings, Ramirez was lifted in the seventh inning for the second straight game. After the game, Hanley was in a lot of pain and wouldn’t speak to the media according to Beto Duran of ESPN LA 710 Radio:
Hanley Ramirez in a lot of pain. Wont talk to media…dont blame him
— Beto Duran (@DuranSports) October 17, 2013
While he wasn’t in the lineup in the Dodgers lineup for Game 2, Ramirez toughed it out and started, knocking in a run with two hits in the Dodgers Game 3 win. The win today ensures that there will be a Game 6 on Friday, but the off day tomorrow should provide another opportunity for Ramirez to get around the clock treatment.
Nick Punto or Michael Young would start in his place, but after Punto’s base running gaffe last night and Young’s inability to get a hit in the series, everyone is desperate for Ramirez to play on Friday.
Ramirez fractured the eighth rib during Game 1 when Joe Kelly hit him with a fastball during the first inning and has changed the entire series. The Dodgers only had seven runs coming into the series and until Gonzalez hit the blast in the third inning, they were held without a home run.
Hopefully Ramirez is good enough to go on Friday as the Dodgers will look to extend their season with ace Clayton Kershaw on the mound against Cardinals rookie Michael Wacha.
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In case you missed it, Adrian Gonzalez showed off his “MickeyMouse” ears after his Game 5 home run!