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Dodgers fall in Ramirez debut

Aug 2, 2008 - 6:51 AM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers can't seem to score even with Manny Ramirez in the lineup.

Ramirez had a pair of singles in his debut, but grounded into a double play in the ninth inning of the Dodgers' 2-1 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night.

Ramirez, who was acquired from the Boston Red Sox on Thursday in a three-team deal, is expected to bolster a club that ranks in the bottom five in the majors in runs, home runs and slugging percentage.

"People really want me here and I'm glad to be here," said Ramirez, who received a standing ovation before his first at-bat. "The guys are great. I was like a kid today. I was kind of nervous. It was like Boston. Everybody is cheering for you. People want you to make it."

However, Ramirez and his new teammates were stymied by Diamondbacks starter Randy Johnson (9-7), who allowed one unearned run and five hits in six innings while striking out six to earn his fifth win in as many starts.

"I know what he's all about," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said of Johnson. "He's a tough competitor. I don't think age has a whole lot to do with it. He goes out there and he knows how to pitch."

Johnson, 44, attributed his recent run of success to getting ahead of hitters.

"It allows me to stay out there," he said. "It's throwing first pitch strikes. I had some easy innings. The biggest thing over the last seven or eight years is having the ability to keep down my walks."

The Dodgers' lone run came in the sixth inning when Juan Pierre, pinch-hitting for rookie starter Clayton Kershaw, reached base as Orlando Hudson juggled a slow ground ball.

Pierre attempted to steal second, but Johnson saw him take off and threw to first. However, Pierre was safe at second after Tony Clark threw the ball away, and Matt Kemp capitalized, plating Pierre with a double to left field.

"I think we have to start scoring second instead of first," Torre said. "Randy was great and Kershaw was great. We just couldn't score more and one wasn't enough."

The hit extended Kemp's career high and current hit streak to 19 games.

Clark made up for his error leading off the seventh, stroking his third home run - a solo blast - to center field off Chan Ho Park (4-3).

Chris Snyder followed with a single to left and advanced to second on a sacrifice by Chris Burke. Chad Tracy pinch- hit for Johnson and drew a walk, bouncing Park from the game.

Stephen Drew welcomed reliever Joe Beimel with an RBI double that appeared to land on the foul line in right field, giving the Diamondbacks a 2-1 lead.

Relievers Chad Qualls and Jon Rauch bridged the gap to closer Brandon Lyon, who got Ramirez to ground into a double play before Jeff Kent flied out to earn his 24th save.

"I was trying too hard," Ramirez said of his final at-bat. "He threw a good pitch. (Saturday) is another day. We just have to move on."

Torre was not concerned that Ramirez failed to come through.

"He's special. There's no question about it with his ability," he said. "I've witnessed it from the time I was in the American League. He's pretty special and he's going to do some exciting things."