Dodgers’ Hanley Ramirez shows old form in return to Miami

MIAMI —  — In the view of Miami Marlins pitcher Wade LeBlanc, the Hanley Ramirez who was back at Marlins Park over the last few days wasn’t the same player his team traded to the Dodgers.

“That’s the old Hanley that everybody here knows,” LeBlanc said. “Maybe he is just reinvigorated over there, a fresh start. That’s what a lot of guys need sometimes.”

Ramirez completed his triumphant return to Marlins Park on Sunday by driving in three runs in the Dodgers’ 5-0 victory over his former team.

In the three-game series, Ramirez was eight for 13 with five runs batted in, two runs scored and a double. The last of his three RBIs was the 500th of his career.

Ramirez didn’t gloat after the Dodgers claimed two wins in Miami, where he was booed every time he stepped to the plate and largely ignored by his former teammates. He said it was time to look to the upcoming series in Pittsburgh.

Ramirez denied the series was particularly emotional.

“Not at all,” he said. “It was only my first at-bat. After that, everything went back to normal and I was trying to do my job.”

Which is to drive in runs.

Ramirez has driven in 18 runs in his 17 games with the Dodgers. His sacrifice fly in the third inning drove in Chris Capuano and put the Dodgers up, 1-0. His two-run single in the eighth inning increased the lead to 3-0.

“I’m not trying too hard,” Ramirez said. “Nice and easy. Put a good swing on the ball.”

He has modified his approach in the wake of recent conversations with Manager Don Mattingly, who encouraged him to shorten his swing.

“His swing is great,” Mattingly said. “If he’ll just take his hits, he’s not only going to drive in runs, but he’ll hit more home runs, too. Hanley can hit. He sees the ball early. He’s a talented cat.”

Matt Kemp is back to full speed

Matt Kemp is back to running the way he did before his left hamstring became a problem.

Kemp stole two bases Saturday to record his first multi-steal game of the season. On Friday, he stretched a single into a double.

“It’s kind of who he is as a player,” Mattingly said.

Upon returning from the hamstring injury in the middle of last month, Kemp appeared to be less aggressive on the basepaths than before.

“With Matt, it’s kind of good to see the whole package again,” Mattingly said.

Kemp’s renewed confidence in his leg has improved the overall speed of a team that includes the likes of the swift-footed Ramirez and Shane Victorino.

“You want to be able score runs in different ways,” he said.

Jerry Hairston Jr. to stay off DL

Jerry Hairston Jr. isn’t expected to land on the disabled list, Mattingly said.

Hairston was removed from the game Saturday night because of tightness in his left hip. He was out of the lineup Sunday and replaced at third base by Luis Cruz.

Trainer Sue Falsone told Mattingly she expected Hairston to be out for only a day.

[email protected]