NLCS Game 6: Hanley Ramirez out of Dodgers lineup

St. Louis — Hanley Ramirez is not in the starting lineup for the Dodgers, who face elimination in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series on Friday.

Ramirez, who suffered a fractured rib when he was hit by a pitch in Game 1, is batting .167 in the NLCS, with five strikeouts in 12 at-bats.

Nick Punto, who replaced Ramirez on defense in each of the past two games, will start at shortstop on Friday. Punto also replaced Ramirez for Game 2 and had one hit in three at-bats against Michael Wacha, who starts Game 6 for the Cardinals.

Ramirez was fitted for a protective vest before Game 3, but his limited range and inability to extend his swing without pain have become increasingly evident. In his six at-bats in Games 4 and 5, he struck out four times, grounded into a double play and hit a comebacker.

The Cardinals benched center fielder Jon Jay (3 for 17) in favor of Shane Robinson, who had a pinch-hit home run in Game 4.

The lineups for Game 6:

DODGERS

Carl Crawford, lf

Mark Ellis, 2b

Adrian Gonzalez, 1b

Yasiel Puig, rf

Andre Ethier, cf

Juan Uribe, 3b

A.J. Ellis, c

Nick Punto, ss

Clayton Kershaw, p

CARDINALS

Matt Carpenter, 2b

Carlos Beltran, rf

Matt Holliday, lf

Yadier Molina, c

David Freese, 3b

Matt Adams, 1b

Shane Robinson, cf

Pete Kozma, ss

Michael Wacha, p