The Rams were stifled at bat by the windy conditions, their own deficiencies and a spot-on Rustlers pitching crew, paying the price with a 3-1 defeat at Kingston Heath Reserve in Cheltenham on Sunday.

"We were hitting into the wind, but that's not an excuse," Rams coach Darren Malthouse said.

"We just didn't hit well, we didn't make good contact and we left a lot on base. Their pitcher threw really well."

Regardless of their batting woes, the Rams could have pulled off a late win.

Scores were locked 1-1 after the seventh inning until the Rustlers feasted on the Rams' relief pitching.

Even as late as the last out of the ninth inning, the Rams could have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

"The last play of the day we had a runner on second and Troy [Malthouse] smashed a line shot only to pick out a six-foot first baseman who caught the shot and made a double play," Malthouse lamented.

But he was not too downcast with the efforts of his team which, defensively, was on song.

"We were fantastic defensively," he said.

"They've got one of the biggest hitting line-ups and to keep them to three runs was a great effort."

Kyle Moore was outstanding over seven innings on the mound for the Rams.

Trading the catcher's glove for the pitching duties, the US import conceded just one run to give the Rams a fighting chance late in the game.

"The thing is we have a young team and our pitchers are still in juniors so they're not allowed to pitch in the seniors on the same weekend and they're

on pitch counts," Malthouse said.

"Having someone to slot in is fantastic."

Moore has been a breath of fresh air for the Rams.

Not only has he contributed onfield, he has added to the organisation away from the diamond.

"He's been getting involved, unlike last year's import," Malthouse said.

"He's been running coaching clinics for the juniors and anything we've asked him to do has not been a problem."

Chris Bramwell and Matthew Lawman were outstanding in the infield.

The Rams face must-win games against the battling Sunshine Eagles.

The first of the two-game series is tomorrow at KC White Reserve in Williamstown at 6pm, followed by a Sunday showdown at the Melbourne Ball Park at 3.30pm.