Hanley Ramirez just tried to do too much.
The Boston Red Sox suffered a brutal 2-1 loss Thursday night when the Los Angeles Angels scored both of their runs on a throwing error by Ramirez in the bottom of the ninth inning. It was an inexcusable play the Red Sox first baseman clearly lamented after the defeat.
“I tried to get to get two (outs) before I got one and it can’t happen,” Ramirez told reporters in Anaheim after the game, per MassLive.com. “I know better than that. I know that I’ve got (Mike) Trout on third. It was kind of a tough ground ball. But still, I’ve got to make sure of one (out). I kind of started running before I threw it.”
Everything crumbled for Boston when former Red Sox outfielder Daniel Nava hit a weak ground ball to the right side with the bases loaded and one out in the ninth inning. Ramirez charged it, scooped it and fired home, but his throw sailed over the head of catcher Sandy Leon, allowing two runs to score.
Ramirez definitely rushed the throw, but Trout’s speed undoubtedly was a factor.
“That’s mental error, that’s mental mistake,” Ramirez said, per MassLive.com. “I know what I did wrong and I’ll come back tomorrow and hopefully, not happen. It won’t happen.”
Ramirez’s error spoiled a solid outing from David Price, who didn’t allow a run over eight innings. Brad Ziegler, who surrendered three hits in the ninth prior to Ramirez’s error, suffered the loss.
Thumbnail photo via Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports Images
