Hanley Ramirez, who broke his thumb during the Dominican Republic's run to the World Baseball Classic championship, was activated off the disabled list by the Los Angeles Dodgers three weeks ahead of schedule and pinch hit in Monday night's 12-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies.
The scuffling Dodgers (12-13) are sitting in fourth place in the highly competitive National League West division, and desperately needed Ramirez' bat back in the order. The Dodgers are second to last in the National League in runs scored (82), fourth from the bottom in home runs (18), second to last in strikeouts (167), and 12th in OPS (.681).
Last season, Ramirez batted .257 with 24 home runs and 97 RBI for the Miami Marlins and Dodgers, which is the type of sorely needed explosiveness needed in their lineup. The Dodgers are hoping his return can lessen the burden on Matt Kemp, whose average is sitting at .253 with just one lonely homer and 10 RBI.
Ramirez saw the struggles his team was having and decided he couldn't wait any longer to lace up his cleats and get on the field. "It's not 100 percent, but I can defend myself on the field," Ramirez said before the game. "I just want to be in there. I don't want to wait any longer. I'm a gamer. I just want to be in there and I think I can play."
Unfortunately for the Dodgers his presence was unable to bolster starting pitcher Ted Lilly Monday night. Lilly pitched three innings and gave up five runs on eight hits and two walks. He struck out two but coughed up two home runs in the first inning to Dexter Fowler and Willin Rosario.
Colorado pounded Los Angeles all night to the tune of 19 hits and 12 runs. The Dodgers could only muster six hits and two runs, but are hoping Ramirez provides the spark as they move forward.
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