Texas native Ramos relishes outing in Arlington

ARLINGTON -- It felt like home when A.J. Ramos took the mound in the eighth inning on Tuesday night at Globe Life Park.

A native of Lubbock, Texas, Ramos had 94 family members and more than 150 friends rooting for him at the ballpark in Miami's 8-5 win over the Rangers.

Ramos didn't disappoint, throwing a scoreless inning, with one strikeout and a walk.

"The only time I felt different was when I started to run in," Ramos said on Wednesday. "I started hearing everybody cheering. I got on the mound and they announced my name; that's when I felt different. But once I started to pitch, it was normal. I didn't hear anything after that."

Ramos, 27, hadn't pitched in his home state since he was at Texas Tech in 2009.

When Miami plays at Houston in late July, Ramos says even more relatives will be on hand.

"Man it was awesome," the right-hander said. "It was kind of crazy. From all around the stadium there were a lot of people cheering. People who were there had some part in helping me succeed. It was good for them to come and see me pitch."

Ramos rooted for the Rangers growing up, but he had never played at their ballpark. In college, he did play at Houston's Minute Maid Park. Actually, it was in that tournament that he injured his arm, which led to him undergoing Tommy John surgery.

In college, Ramos was a starter.

"I grew up watching the Rangers," Ramos said. "Being able to play here was amazing."

Ramos personally purchased 30 of the more than 150 tickets his family members and friends used.

He is especially happy his grandmother, Olga, was in attendance.

"She hadn't seen me pitch since college," he said. "She's been taking care of her dad. He's 107 years old."