Talk about Erasmo-mentum.

Ever since he was jettisoned to the bullpen, right-hander Erasmo Ramirez became one of the Rays’ early season fascinations.

Question marks were aplenty: How would the former starter fare in his new role? Would he show the flair that made him one of Tampa Bay’s top arms last season? Would he flop?

Well, Ramirez’s first step Wednesday landed right on the Blue Jays’ jugular. He struck out two and allowed just one hit in two innings at the FruitDome during another comeback victory for the good guys.

The best part about Ramirez’s afternoon was that he made everything look oh-so easy. He threw 23 pitches, 17 for strikes. Only one batter reached base. He forced a double play with no outs in the ninth inning, snuffing Toronto’s chances for a rally. He was fantastic.

Joe would enjoy seeing Ramirez take on a larger role with Brad Boxberger out. Ramirez was 11-6 with 126 strikeouts in 27 starts last year for a reason. His 3.75 ERA was respectable, too. The guy can slice and dice from the mound.

Overall, the bullpen did its duty Wednesday, keeping the Rays in striking distance until Steven Souza Jr. blew up the Blue Jays’ one-run lead in the eighth with a three-run rocket to left-center field.

There were many helping hands in this “W.” But consider Ramirez the star.

(Your bullpen stats through four games)

Player	W	L	ERA▲	G	GS	SV	SVO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG	WHIP
Colome	1	0	0.00	1	0	0	0	2.0	3	0	0	0	1	1	.375	2.00
Eveland	0	0	0.00	2	0	0	0	2.1	2	0	0	0	0	2	.222	0.86
Farquhar	0	0	0.00	2	0	0	0	2.0	1	0	0	0	1	3	.143	1.00
Geltz	0	0	0.00	2	0	0	0	1.2	0	0	0	0	1	1	.000	0.60
Ramirez	1	0	0.00	1	0	0	0	2.0	1	0	0	0	0	2	.167	0.50
Romero	0	0	0.00	2	0	0	0	1.1	0	0	0	0	0	2	.000	0.00
Webb	0	0	7.71	2	0	0	0	2.1	2	2	2	1	0	2	.222	0.86