St. Louis, MO (SportsNetwork.com) - Hanley Ramirez was a late addition into the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup prior to the start of the team's Game 6 matchup with the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series.
Ramirez was hit in the ribs by a pitch from Cardinals Game 1 starter Joe Kelly in the first inning last Friday. The slugging shortstop missed Game 2, but played in Games 3, 4 and 5 despite a fractured rib.
Nick Punto was originally inserted in the lineup for Ramirez at shortstop and was supposed to bat eighth. Ramirez will now hit cleanup, behind first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.
In his press conference before the game, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said he was hoping Ramirez would be available to pinch-hit.
The Cardinals' Jon Jay was not in the lineup for Game 6. Instead, the Cardinals placed Shane Robinson in center field in the seventh spot.
The Dodgers need to win Friday to force a seventh game in the set.
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