Manny looks ‘much better,' Cespedes' surprise position

SACRAMENTO -- Yoenis Cespedes and Manny Ramirez batted second and third for the River Cats in Sacramento on Monday. Ramirez was the designated hitter, Cespedes played left field, which was a surprising development. Since it was Cespedes' first game since May 7, he only played five innings. He went 1 for 3 with a strikeout. "That's what I expect to see after having that extended period of time off," said manager Darren Bush. "The biggest thing we wanted to make sure he feels comfortable in his swing, and he did so that's good."Only one ball was hit to Cespedes as he attempted to play a new outfield position. He is expected to play deeper into the game on Tuesday in Sacramento. Ramirez, who hit after Cespedes, went 2 for 4 with an RBI single, and a long fly out to right-center that many thought was gone. Bush says that this is best the veteran slugger has looked since joining the team.RELATED: Ramirez -- 'The more I play, the better I get'
"There's no doubt," Bush said. "I mean there is a difference now than his first game. Much better balance in the box, his timing is better, exactly what you expect to happen."There are still no indications as to when Ramirez will join the A's. He is eligible to return on May 30 from a 50-game suspension. Bush says he will be by his phone waiting just in case the call comes. But as of now, the decision hasn't been made.At the plateFirst Inning: Yoenis Cepsedes: Cespedes took two pitches before hitting a single up the middle.Manny Ramirez: With Cespedes attempting to steal second, Ramirez lined a ball to right field resulting in a double play to end the first inning. Third Inning:Yoenis Cespedes:Cespedes stepped to the plate with one out, and runners on first and second. He struck out swinging. Manny Ramirez:Ramirez was next up, he drove an RBI single up the middle. He then advanced from first to third when Chris Carter hit a double.Fifth Inning:Yoenis Cespedes: Cespedes stepped to the plate with no one on and two outs. He popped out to first base. After the at-bat he was replaced by Michael Taylor in left field. Manny Ramirez:Ramirez followed Cespedes with a hard-hit single to left field. He got solid contact as the ball was very loud off the bat.Seventh Inning:Manny Ramirez:Ramirez stepped to the plate with two outs and nobody on. On a 2-1 count he smacked a hard-hit ball to the warning track in right-center field. He gave it a pretty good ride. I think most people in attendance thought it was gone. In the FieldIn the top of the second inning, Randy Ruiz singled on a line drive to left field. Cespedes caught the ball after one hop with his barehand. That was the only ball he handled defensively.