 Ramírez began his minor league career in 2003 with the Tampa Yankees of the single @-@ A advanced Florida State League . After he had a 2 – 8 record , a 5 @.@ 21 earned run average ( ERA ) , 21 strikeouts , and 21 1 ⁄ 3 innings pitched in 14 starts , he was promoted to the Trenton Thunder of the Double @-@ A Eastern League . With the Thunder , he had a 1 – 1 record , a 1 @.@ 69 ERA , 21 strikeouts , and 21 1 ⁄ 3 innings pitched in four games ( three starts ) , and this earned him a promotion to the Columbus Clippers of the triple @-@ A International League . In two games ( one start ) with Columbus , he had an 0 – 1 record , a 4 @.@ 50 ERA , five strikeouts , and six innings pitched . He finished his first minor league season with a 3 – 10 record , a 4 @.@ 43 ERA , 96 strikeouts , and 101 2 ⁄ 3 innings pitched in 20 games ( 18 starts ) . 
