It was Loney’s slam but Ramirez’s inning

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James Loney hit the ball that carried over the wall for the grand slam that gave the Dodgers their 4-2 lead over the Cubs.

But you can credit the four-run inning to Manny Ramirez.

Two outs, one on, an 0-2 count to Ramirez ... who battles his way through the rest of the at-bat, works a walk, and ignites the rally.

Fans talk about his home runs and runs batted in. Baseball people marvel about the little things he brings to the Dodgers. Things like not giving in and working a walk when the inning was just about over.

A buddy of mine who helps coach a Yankees scout team called me right after the ball cleared the fence. He says, ‘That’s what the Red Sox are going to miss this postseason... and they don’t even know it yet.’

-- Mike Hiserman