First home run a minor issue

Well, folks, Manny Ramirez can still hit -- at least he can still hit Class-A pitching.

Ramirez went deep for the first time in his weeklong tour of the minor leagues, launching an 0-1 changeup by former San Diego Padres first-round pick Nick Schmidt over the left-field wall in the first inning at the Diamond in Lake Elsinore.

Batting leadoff as the designated hitter for the Inland Empire 66ers, Ramirez was two for two with a walk and two runs. He left the game in the middle of the fifth inning.

Ramirez fell behind in the count, 0-2, in the third inning but managed to draw a walk. He went from first to third on a double by Pedro Baez and scored on another double, this one by Scott Van Slyke.

Ramirez singled up the middle in the fifth inning. He sprinted to second and was headed to third on a hard-hit ball by Trayvon Robinson but was doubled off at first after the ball was caught by Lake Elsinore center fielder Brad Chalk.

Inland Empire Manager Carlos Subero said Ramirez probably would play left field today when the 66ers open a three-game series at their San Bernardino home against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. Ramirez is tentatively scheduled to play the entire series, but two sources in his camp said he would probably skip the finale on Tuesday, which will start at 11 a.m.

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Minor league assignment to date: Two for five with a home run, two runs and a walk in three games.

Next: Will play for Inland Empire tonight in San Bernardino against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.

Quote of the day: “No gracias,” Ramirez said as he made his way back from batting practice into the clubhouse. Ramirez said nothing else to reporters.

Etc.: Ramirez played in front of his third sellout crowd in three minor league games, this one counted at 8,099. . . . Playing in the park of a Padres affiliate, some boos were mixed into the wild cheers Ramirez received when he was introduced for his first at-bat. . . . Ramirez received a police escort out of the park, as he was mobbed by a group of about 100 fans who were waiting for him at the back exit of the clubhouse.

-- Dylan Hernandez