Ramirez avoids doping talk in winning return

SAN DIEGO, California (Reuters) - Manny Ramirez made a low key return to the Los Angeles Dodgers line-up after serving a 50-game ban for a doping offense on Friday, the slugger going 0-for-3 during his team's 6-3 win over the San Diego Padres.

Playing for the first time since the suspension was handed out on May 7 for violating the Major League Baseball drug policy, Ramirez brought the Padres home Petco Park to its feet during his first at-bat, a first-inning walk.

The right-hander also grounded out twice and popped out before being replaced in left field by Juan Pierre in the bottom of the sixth.

"It was great. I was nervous at first but it was fine," Ramirez told reporters.

"I want to thank my fans. I think they drove from (Los Angeles) just to watch me play and it was unbelievable. This team can do a lot of great things without me. I'm just trying to follow those guys."

With a large contingent of Dodger supporters making their way to the sold-out stadium of 42,217 fans, Ramirez was welcomed warmly for the most part with the applause drowning out the boos.

His much anticipated return included a pre-game news conference in which he apologized to fans and team mates but refused to answer questions about the banned substances that evoked his suspension.

"I don't want to get into (that)," Ramirez told reporters.

"I don't want to talk about my record. I just want to talk about the game. It was tough but it's over.

"I'm moving on."

Before his suspension, Ramirez was batting .348 with six home runs and 27 RBIs. Even without his offense, the MLB-best Dodgers (51-29) managed to stay afloat with a 29-21 record and enjoy a 7 game lead in the National League West.

The Dodgers struck quickly against Padres (34-45) by notching five runs in the first inning off losing pitcher Chad Gaudin.

Rafael Furcal finished with four hits and Los Angeles starter Hiroki Kuroda went 5 1/3 innings to get the victory.

"(Manny) didn't get any hits but he has an effect on our team and you could see that," said outfielder Matt Kemp, who had two RBIs. "It felt like we had a home game today, there were a lot of Dodger fans out there.

"Manny is back. We're excited to have him back."

(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by John O'Brien;