Projo Sox Blog

By STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

CINCINNATI -- Manny Ramirez, who started in left field despite a sore right hamstring, had to leave the game in the seventh inning when it tightened up on him.

Manager Terry Francona said Ramirez will not play in today’s game and he said the Sox would be cautious about returning him to the lineup before he’s ready.

“We’ll wait until he’s better rather than put him in there and have to take him out in the middle of a game,” said Francona.

While he was in, Ramirez drilled an RBI single to right in the fourth inning for Boston’s only run. It was the 1,653rd RBI of his career, breaking a tie with Tony Perez and moving him into 24th place on the all-time list. It also was his 140th RBI in interleague play, tying the Mets’ Carlos Delgado for the top spot in that category.

Ramirez had been able to spare his right leg extra strain by serving as the Sox’ designated hitter for the previous 10 games, given that luxury because David Ortiz (left wrist) is on the disabled list. But the designated hitter is not used in National League parks, and the next five Boston games will be in N.L. cities – two more games in Cincinnati and then there in Philadelphia.

With Ramirez out of the lineup, Coco Crisp, who took over Ramirez’s spot in the batting order, came to the plate representing the tying run in the ninth against closer Francisco Cordero. He flied out with a man on first and two outs.

So the Sox now are down two sluggers – Ortiz and Ramirez – possibly the best one-two power-packed punch in the history of the game.

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