Manny has pinch-hit grand slam with sore hand

Jul 23, 2009 - 4:28 AM By BETH HARRIS AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES(AP) -- Manny Ramirez hit a pinch-hit grand slam on his bobblehead night after being held out of the starting lineup because of a sore left hand.

He entered Wednesday's sold-out game against Cincinnati in the sixth inning with the score tied at 2. Fans chanted "Manny! Manny!" as they saw him in the Dodgers dugout putting on his batting helmet.

Ramirez sent the first pitch from reliever Nick Masset into the "Mannywood" section of lower left field seats on his bobblehead night, giving Los Angeles a 6-2 lead and sending the crowd into a frenzy.

He was out of the lineup for precautionary reasons after being hit with a pitch on the side of his left hand in a game Tuesday night.

"It was real sore," Ramirez said before the game. "I was worried, but thank God the X-ray came up negative."

Ramirez was in a good mood despite not starting. His name originally was posted in the lineup, but that was before manager Joe Torre said he had a chance to consult with the team trainer.

"Change the lineup, Joe!" Ramirez yelled upon seeing the mistake.

He snagged a bobblehead of himself from the trainer's room and proudly held it up in the clubhouse for inspection.

"It's great," he said, pointing how his trademark dreadlocks were accurately replicated down to a strand of red cloth that dangles from the back. His blue batting helmet had pine tar on it, too.

"It's not my first bobblehead," he said, laughing and joking that he would put the doll on top of his car.

Ramirez toted the giveaway around to show some of his teammates. His only complaint? That the lining of the doll's left back pocket wasn't turned inside out like Ramirez wears it.

"He's going to be in left field with Juan P.," Ramirez said, referring to Juan Pierre, his replacement. "We're going to let the batboy throw to him."

Even Torre approved upon being shown a doll.

"They do a good job of making them look as realistic as possible," he said.

The Dodgers are off Thursday, so Ramirez will get a day of rest before Florida arrives for a three-game series starting Friday, when Torre said he expects the slugger to start.

"It's just a bruise," Torre said.

The manager held no malice toward Cincinnati pitcher Homer Bailey, who hit Ramirez in the third inning of the Dodgers' 12-3 victory.

"I don't see anything suspicious about this other than trying to keep him from beating you," he said. "A lot of stuff is unavoidable. They're keeping him honest."

Ramirez had a two-run triple in the first and made a nifty running catch to end the second on Wednesday.

"You think my bobblehead could make that play I made yesterday?" he asked, then laughed loudly.

Ramirez's left hand was heavily wrapped, although he undid it to play catch during batting practice. As he walked on the field, a fan yelled, "Manny!" and the slugger responded by throwing a souvenir ball into the stands.

Ramirez plans to participate in a team bowling event Thursday, saying that he'll play right-handed. He demonstrated his form in the clubhouse.

"It shouldn't affect his bowling," Torre said, smiling.