MIAMI (AP) — Hanley Ramirez has been benched by Florida Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez for not hustling after a ball during a game against Arizona.
Last year's NL batting champion, Ramirez committed a costly error in the second inning Monday night after Tony Abreu's looper dropped near him in short left field. The star shortstop accidentally kicked the ball about 100 feet toward the left-field corner and loafed after it, allowing two runners to score as Abreu advanced to third.
Ramirez, who eventually retrieved the ball, was replaced by Brian Barden the next inning. After the game, Gonzalez confirmed that Ramirez was pulled for not hustling.
Ramirez also was shaken up after fouling Edwin Jackson's pitch off his left shin in the first inning.
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