Pregame: Alexei Ramirez returns to lineup

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 5: Alexei Ramirez #10 of the San Diego Padres hits a solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the of the Philadelphia Phillies at PETCO Park on August 5, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **Alexei Ramirez hadn’t started since July 29 when he walloped the first pinch-hit home run of his career Friday night and his first long ball since he hit two in one game on June 1.

That was enough to get the 34-year-old veteran back into the lineup Saturday night. He’s hitting eighth in place of rookie Jose Rondon, who is 3-for-20 to start his…