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Ramirez leads Marlins to rout of Nationals

Apr 20, 2008 - 9:06 PM By Christopher Stock PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MIAMI (Ticker) - Hanley Ramirez blasted two home runs late in the game Sunday to give the Florida Marlins a 6-1 victory over the Washington Nationals.

Ramirez's first home run in the seventh gave the Marlins a 2-1 advantage as he greeted reliever Luis Ayala (0-1) with a 431-foot blast to center field on a first-pitch sinker after Nationals starter Odalis Perez left the game.

"I have been struggling the last couple of games so I just tried to be patient, waited for my pitch, tried to hit it hard somewhere, and to hit it center field is not something you ever expect," Ramirez said.

Ramirez hit a two-run homer - a 427-foot shot off Saul Rivera - in the eighth after a wild pitch and a throwing error allowed two runners to score during his at-bat. The blasts gave the 24-year old shortstop five on the season and he now has five multi-homer games in his career.

"He doesn't surprise me," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "But hitting two balls to straight-away center in this ballpark is a pretty good feat."

Marlins starter Scott Olsen (3-0) did not allow a hit in the first four innings and threw seven strong innings, allowing one run and striking out three. He threw 98 pitches - 64 strikes - while lowering his ERA to 2.60 in four starts.

"I am throwing strikes and more consistent (than last year)," Olsen said. "It's hard to get make people chase your breaking ball and change-up when you are constantly behind in the count."

The Nationals had a chance to tie the game in the top of the eighth when Justin Miller relieved Olsen and gave up a leadoff double to Aaron Boone, who advanced to third on a groundout by Johnny Estrada.

Taylor Tankersley relieved Miller to face the left-handed Nick Johnson, who he struck out. Tankersley also struck out Felipe Lopez to end the inning.

"It was awesome to face the same hitter (Johnson) that got the best of me two days ago and got him out," Tankersley said. "That shows me that Fredi has confidence in me to get outs no matter who it is."

Jorge Cantu and Cody Ross each doubled in the eighth off of Rivera. After Matt Treanor struck out, Luis Gonzalez walked to load the bases.

Rivera threw a first-pitch strike to Ramirez before bouncing a wild pitch off the wall. Estrada fielded the ball and threw toward home, but the ball got away from Rivera which allowed two runs to score on the play. Ramirez's home run came on the very next pitch.

"He's special, I think everybody knows that now," Nationals manager Manny Acta said.

Austin Kearns broke up Olsen's no-hit bid in the top of the fifth inning with a solo home run to left field to tie the game at 1-1. Kearns' 419-foot shot was his second of the season.

Perez threw six solid innings, allowing just one run and five hits. He walked three, struck out seven and remains winless on the season.