Rams coach Darren Malthouse concedes the latest heartbreaking 10-9 loss to the Geelong Baycats at the Geelong Baseball Centre on Saturday has officially ruled his side out of contention for the finals.

After a dismal start to the season, the Rams bounced back in the new year to make a huge play for a position in the finals but draws against Essendon and Cheltenham coupled with narrow losses to Sandringham, Bonbeach and now the Baycats have seen them fall out of the race.

"I think it will cost us," Malthouse said.

"That will put finals out of reach."

The Rams' one-run loss to the Baycats was the knock-out punch.

They had to fight back from a 7-1 deficit to get within striking distance late in the game.

Baycats import Ben Knuth rammed a dagger in the Rams heart with a two-run home run off starting pitcher Chris Bramwell.

Bramwell threw a marathon nine innings. The 33-year-old unloaded 170 pitches and was spot-on with most.

But, the damage had already been done.

Knuth's blast was the final straw for the Rams.

"He's just a big boy," Malthouse said.

"It helps having a quality import as it lifts your other players.

"They see how hard he swings.

"Our American import [Kyle Moore] has really helped as our young guys get to see how hard you have to work."

On the note of imports, Moore has signalled his intentions to continue playing with the Rams in 2010-11.

It was the good news the Rams needed after dropping out of the premiership race.

"He's played really well," Malthouse said. "He's been fantastic as a catcher, he's hitting the ball well and he's even pitched a few games. He's helped us all of the shop and it looks as though he might come on board again next year."

The Rams still had their chances as late as the eighth inning.

They had loaded bases with no outs, but could not capitalise.

"That's where we let ourselves down," Malthouse said.

"Having guys in scoring position and not being able to move them around at crucial times."

It will be a busy week for the Rams.

They will have to negotiate peak hour traffic when they travel to Malvern Braves for a 6pm start tonight.

On Sunday, they will host the Waverley Wildcats at the KC White Reserve in Williamstown, starting 3.30pm.

■ Williamstown Wolves cantered to a 10-0 win over Mulgrave in division two, while Footscray was a 25-9 loser to Melbourne.