Major League Baseball

Ramirez pinch-hits for White Sox, is hit by pitch

Published Sep. 5, 2010 9:51 p.m. ET

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Red Sox fans got one more chance to show their feelings toward Manny Ramirez in the series finale with the Chicago White on Sunday.

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen decided to keep Ramirez out of the starting lineup after he played both games of a doubleheader sweep over Boston on Saturday.

But in the eighth inning, Ramirez came up as a pinch-hitter in a tight game. He was hit by a pitch on the right arm by closer Jonathan Papelbon and left for pinch-runner Mark Teahen, trotting off to a chorus of mostly boos.

When he stepped out of the dugout toward the on-deck circle, the noise - mostly boos - picked up considerably in Fenway Park.

Guillen talked before the game about how important it was to keep the slugger well rested for the stretch run.

''Two days in a row, him playing that many games. I want him to stay fresh, keeping him as healthy as we can,'' Guillen said. ''Besides that, we need to give (Paul Konerko) a break and that's the only way we can find a place for him. He will play in the next one.''

Konerko, the club's regular first baseman, was in the designated hitter slot. Ramirez was the DH for both games Saturday.

Just like his first trip back to Fenway Park in June when he was with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ramirez was greeted with a mixture of boos and cheers each time he came to the plate.

Ramirez played 7 1/2 seasons in Boston that were filled with antics, mood swings and production that led to two World Series titles with the Red Sox before the relationship fell apart at the trading deadline in 2008 when he was dealt him to the Dodgers.

Ramirez, acquired on waivers from the Dodgers on Tuesday, went 3 for 8 in the day-nighter on Saturday. In the first game, he had two singles that set up two runs.

In June, Ramirez went 5 for 12 with a solo homer for the Dodgers.

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