The Official Site of Hanley Ramirez

Wed, Jun 23rd 2010, 05:21

Hanley leads way vs. O's in return to lineup

Perhaps a couple of days off were all Hanley Ramirez needed to get re-energized.

Hampered by a tight right hamstring, Ramirez made a roaring return to the lineup on Tuesday by collecting three hits and driving in three in the Marlins’ 10-4 win over the Orioles in front of 14,821 at Camden Yards.

Ramirez exited Saturday’s game against Tampa Bay in the eighth inning after he tweaked his hamstring. He did collect three RBIs in that game, giving him six in his last two contests.

Now with 43 RBIs, Ramirez is three behind Jorge Cantu for the club lead. The two-time All-Star shortstop enjoyed his first three-hit game since May 19, and has seven RBIs over his last three games.

“We’ve got to get hot, win some games and try to get back in the race,” Ramirez said. “It’s a different ballgame when you know you’ve got a chance to make it [to the playoffs].”

With Ramirez regaining his hitting form, the Marlins improved to 6-7 in Interleague Play with two games to play.

On a night where he raised his batting average to .293, Ramirez showed the all-around signs that have made him one of the more dynamic players in the game. Even with his hamstring not at 100 percent, he executed a delayed steal.

In the first inning, he received a scare when he was struck below the blade of his left hand, around the wrist by a Jeremy Guthrie pitch.

“It’s good.” Ramirez said of his wrist, “It just barely got me a little bit.”

As for his hamstring, it will take a little while to get back to full strength.

“I felt good. It’s not going to go away right away,” the two-time All-Star said. “I’ve got to keep icing it and getting treatment.”

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