Manny Ramirez makes River Cats debut | News

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Manny Ramirez struck out three times as he began a 10-game minor league stint with the Sacramento River Cats to prepare to be activated by the Oakland Athletics from his 50-game suspension.

Ramirez, who went 0 for 4, stepped to the plate Saturday night in Sacramento's uniform to a ballpark full of boos. Ramirez played with the Albuquerque Isotopes in 2009 as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers.  

On Saturday night, the River Cats defeated the Isotopes 7-6.

The dreadlocked designated hitter was cheered as he strolled back to the dugout after being called out on strikes without his bat leaving his shoulder.

The 12-time All-Star had to serve a 50-game suspension for a second positive drug test.

He hit a weak, broken-bat liner to second on the first pitch of his second at-bat, and then worked the count full before striking out swinging. He went down swinging on three pitches in his final at-bat.