Manny Ramirez was back in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup Monday and looking forward to a few more at-bats before spring training ends. Curt Schilling was anticipating a much different future.
Ramirez returned from a hamstring injury and went 0-for-3 in the Dodgers’ 10-4 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.
“We’ll take it step by step,” said Ramirez, who said he was running 60 to 70 percent during the game and in pregame drills. “We don’t want to rush it.”
Ramirez was called out on strikes twice and bounced into a double play while serving as the designated hitter. He said he will DH again on Tuesday night against the Seattle Mariners.
“I only hit (the ball) once but it was good,” said Ramirez, playing in his third spring game. “The main thing is I’m trying to get my leg healthy. It was pretty good for the first time in a while.”
Ramirez agreed to a $45 million, two-year contract on March 4 and played in his first game nine days later, singling and walking twice as a designated hitter.
do Rockies on March 15.
Schilling, Ramirez’s former teammate with the Red Sox, retired Monday, ending a career in which he was one of the game’s most dominant pitchers and grittiest competitors.
The 42-year-old right-hander said on his blog he’s leaving after 23 years with “zero regrets.” Schilling missed all of last season with a shoulder injury after signing a one-year, $8 million contract.
“The things I was allowed to experience, the people I was able to call friends, teammates, mentors, coaches and opponents, the travel, all of it, are far more than anything I ever thought possible in my lifetime,” he wrote.
Schilling was co-MVP of the 2001 World Series with Randy Johnson while in Arizona. He also won World Series titles with Boston in 2004 and 2007.
“Curt had a great career and made a profound impact on the Red Sox, helping to restore the Red Sox’ status as a championship organization,” general manager Theo Epstein said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. “He was consistently dominant, and never more so than when it mattered most. Not only for what he did – but for when and how he did it – Curt deserves to be remembered with the all-time greats.”
At Tempe, Ariz., Chad Billingsley threw two innings for the Dodgers before leaving with a slightly strained groin. Billingsley allowed four runs and four hits, walked three and struck out two.
ach Rick Honeycutt) I wanted to go back out there, but they said no risk,” said Billingsley, who was 16-10 with a 3.14 ERA last season. “There was no reason to take a risk.”
Dustin Moseley, a strong candidate for one of two open spots in the Angels’ rotation, allowed four runs, three earned, and eight hits over six innings in his fifth spring start. He is 3-0 with a 3.15 ERA.
“All spring he’s been consistent,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “He’s taking a step forward in setting himself up for our rotation.”
Erick Aybar, Jeff Mathis and Robb Quinlan homered for the Angels, who also got some encouraging news Monday about Kelvim Escobar.
Escobar threw 1 1-3 innings in a minor league game in his first spring outing. The right-hander won 18 games in 2007 but missed last season after he had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his pitching shoulder.
Scioscia said Escobar would get at least three days off before pitching again in a minor league game.
Cubs 20, Athletics 5
At Phoenix, Paul Bako had four hits and three RBIs even though he had his first at-bat in the sixth inning.
Dana Eveland, the A’s likely opening day starter, gave up five runs in four innings. He allowed eight of the Cubs’ 24 hits.
Mariners 5, Giants 1
being pushed back because of biceps soreness. He gave up two runs and three hits in three innings for San Francisco.
Padres 9, Royals 7
At Peoria, Ariz., Chase Headley hit a game-ending three-run homer in the ninth inning.
Rockies 7, Brewers 1
At Tucson, Ariz., Todd Helton hit a towering home run and played seven innings in the field for a second straight game, further proof that his surgically repaired back is feeling just fine.
The Colorado first baseman finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
Phillies 8, Yankees 3
At Clearwater, Fla., J.A. Happ gave up two runs – one earned – five hits and three walks. He struck out three in an impressive audition for the fifth spot in the Phillies’ rotation.
Astros 10, Marlins 8
At Kissimmee, Fla., Houston’s Lance Berkman homered twice and Miguel Tejada also had two hits, including a go-ahead RBI double in the seventh inning.
Twins 8, Orioles 7
At Fort Myers, Fla., Baltimore’s Jeremy Guthrie returned from the World Baseball Classic less than 24 hours after the United States was eliminated and gave up four runs and five hits in 3 2-3 innings.
Justin Morneau hit a two-run homer off Guthrie.
Red Sox 7, Tigers 6
field off Brandon Lyon in the sixth inning for the Red Sox.
Pirates 4, Rays 1
At Bradenton, Fla., Zach Duke pitched five shutout innings and Jack Wilson’s two doubles led to a pair of two-run innings for Pittsburgh.
Reds 3, Blue Jays 0
At Sarasota, Fla., Reds shortstop Alex Gonzalez strained his right hamstring beating out an infield hit in the second inning. Gonzalez missed all of last season with a fracture in his left knee.
Cincinnati’s Edinson Volquez allowed four hits, walked two and struck out five in five innings. The 17-game winner last season has pitched 14 innings this spring without allowing an earned run.
Cardinals 6, Nationals 3
At Jupiter, Fla., Chris Carpenter struck out six in five innings for St. Louis. He gave up two unearned runs, extending his streak of not allowing an earned run to 19 innings this spring.
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