LAKELAND — While RHP Erasmo Ramirez worked on his fastball Tuesday afternoon at Joker Marchant Stadium, Detroit hitters worked him over en route to a 6-5 Grapefruit League victory.
After retiring the Tigers in order in the opening inning, Ramirez was battered for five hits and four runs in the bottom of the second. When Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez led off the third with singles, Rays manager Kevin Cash had seen enough, replacing Ramirez with Matt Andriese.
“I came in to attack the strike zone and I made a lot of mistakes,’’ said Ramirez, who was charged with five runs while throwing 51 pitches, 33 for strikes.