Hanley Ramirez makes himself at home in Miami in Dodgers’ 5-2 win
Hanley Ramirez received something of a mixed reaction the first time he was introduced as a Dodger back at Marlins Park on Friday.
In each subsequent at-bat, the reception became less varied and decidedly heavy on the boo side. It was Ramirez’s first appearance in Florida in the past five-plus seasons as something other than a Marlin, and the locals were quickly making him feel like a visiting player.
Not that it seemed to bother Ramirez one iota.
Ramirez had three hits, drove in the go-ahead run and later another to help the Dodgers to a 5-2 victory over the Marlins.
With Clayton Kershaw starting to look like the pitcher who dominated the National League in the second half and Juan Rivera shaking off his doldrums with a two-run homer, it all made for nice start to a 10-game road trip for the Dodgers.
After Kershaw gave up a solo home run to Justin Ruggiano in the first inning, he settled into a groove. He retired 14 consecutive batters at one point, until the Marlins scratched together another run in the sixth.
In his last three starts, Kershaw is 3-0 with a 1.21 earned-run average, having walked four and struck out 21. He started his second-half surge a little earlier last season, going 13-1 with a 1.22 ERA after July 7.
Friday night, Kershaw (10-6) held the Marlins to their two runs on three hits and a walk, striking out seven., in 6 1/3 innings
The Dodgers game him a 4-1 lead in the top of the sixth inning after doubles by Shane Victorino and Matt Kemp got them on the scoreboard against Mark Buehrle (9-11). Ramirez then gave the Dodgers a 2-1 lead, slicing a single into right.
Rivera, who last homered July 22, then drilled his two-run shot to right field.
A bases-loaded infield single by Ramirez in the seventh inning gave the Dodgers their 5-2 lead.
Ramirez is hitting just .248 as a Dodger, but has 14 RBIs in 15 games.
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