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(2009-09-07 23:00:47)
PHOENIX, Arizona (Reuters) - Manny Ramirez sparked the Los Angeles Dodgers with a home run and was then later ejected during his team's 7-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday.
The left fielder gave the Dodgers a 1-0 advantage on a solo homer in the second inning, his 17th of the season.
In the third innings, Ramirez flung his bat and helmet toward home plate after striking out and was ejected by the umpire.
"I don't want to talk about (the home run), I do that all the time," Ramirez told reporters. "I told (the umpire) I thought it was a ball, then I threw my helmet and he threw me out.
"It's okay. He's human. He's not a machine."
James Loney added another homer in the second.
Ronnie Belliard had three hits and two RBIs as the Dodgers (82-57) kept their National League West Division lead at 3- games.
Los Angeles starter Vicente Padilla allowed two runs in six innings before closer Jonathan Broxton recorded his 33rd save.
"Padilla was terrific and, obviously, it was an important game for us," said Los Angeles manager Joe Torre.
"Padilla gave us six strong innings, and Belliard really gave us a shot in the arm."
Max Scherzer allowed four runs and three home runs in seven innings to be take the loss for the Diamondbacks (61-78).
Chris Young hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning to give him four in the last two games. He hit three homers in a 13-5 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Sunday.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
