Major League Baseball

Dodgers blanked in Manny's return to L.A.

Published Jul. 17, 2009 8:22 a.m. ET

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Mannywood's main attraction was back in residence at Dodger Stadium and Manny Ramirez received a warm welcome, even if he wasn't any help.

Wandy Rodriguez combined with four relievers on an eight-hitter in the Houston Astros' 3-0 victory over Los Angeles on Thursday night, spoiling Ramirez's first game at home since his 50-game suspension for violating baseball's drug policy ended.

"It was great. I was looking forward to this game," he said. "I'm just glad I got that game out of the way. I was just playing the game like I always do."

Back in Mannywood

Photos: How did Mannywood treat its hero in his return? Check out his reception in our gallery.

Just not with his usual results.

Ramirez went 1 for 4 with two strikeouts while being greeted with cheers, chants of his name and camera flashes that sparkled around the stadium. The Mannywood section in the field level seats has been restored.

"This is my town," he said, laughing.

He singled to lead off the eighth, but he was erased on a double play one batter later.

"I wanted to make good pitches to Manny and I didn't want to miss because he's a good hitter," Rodriguez said. "So I made good pitches to him and had good location with my breaking ball."

In the ninth, Ramirez walked over to center fielder Matt Kemp and rested on one knee chatting with Kemp and right fielder Andre Ethier as reliever Scott Elbert warmed up.

"Intensity is up a bit more than it was when he was gone," Kemp said.

There were plenty of empty seats among the announced crowd of 45,970 for Ramirez's return, which came after he rejoined the team at San Diego on July 3 for a nine-game road trip. Owners Frank and Jamie McCourt were out of town.

"I don't need to talk about anything more. I just need to show up and play the game," said Ramirez, who has repeatedly declined to explain what led to his suspension.

Ramirez's return proved anticlimactic since he had already rejoined the team.

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