Miami Palms Blog

Miami took game one of their series with Cleveland thanks to a dominant 8 innings from Manny Parra, who shut Cleveland out while scattering 6 hits and striking out 4. The bottom of the order produced, with Johnny Giavotella and Brett Hayes hitting home runs to expand the lead later in the game.  Miami Palms 6, Cleveland Indians 1  Monday, August 31, 2015  Cleveland Indians (2-2)                                  Miami Palms (66-64)                                      Player          AB R  H BI BB SO  P  A  E LOB   Ave      Player...

Miami finished off a sweep of the Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon, with another solid pitching performance. Blake Johnston went 8 innings, with a 2 run shot from Justin Smoak accounting for Toronto's only runs to that point. Miami's offense was paced by John Jaso, who had 5 hits. Russell Martin made it interesting, hitting a solo home run in the 9th, but the Palms were able to win their 4th in a row.  Miami Palms 4, Toronto Blue Jays 3  Sunday, August 30, 2015  Miami Palms (65-64)                                      Toronto Blue Jays (6-7)                                  Player        ...

Drew Hutchinson and John Danks had a pitchers duel through 8 innings, with an RBI Johnny Giavotella triple in the 2nd and a solo Edwin Encarnacion home run scoring the only runs. In the 9th, at the top of the frame, there were two outs when Giovetella cae to the plate again. He hit a solo homer of his own to put the Palms ahead for good. Kelly Johnson followed wit ha triple, while Brett Hayes grabbed an RBI single immediately thereafter.  Miami Palms 3, Toronto Blue Jays 1  Saturday, August 29, 2015  Miami Palms (64-64)                                      Toronto Blue Jays (6-6)                                  Player ...

Miami got a solid outing from some players they expected to be pillars this year. Erik Bedard threw 6 shut out innings, while Billy Dupont and Frank Sohn each hit solo home runs. Nick Markakis hit two doubles and drove in a run, as the Palms took the first game of their series in Canada.  Miami Palms 4, Toronto Blue Jays 1  Friday, August 28, 2015  Miami Palms (63-64)                                      Toronto Blue Jays (6-5)                                  Player          AB R  H BI BB SO  P  A  E LOB   Ave      Player ...

One thing Miami pitchers have been able to do this season is prevent home runs at the kind of pace they have been allowing in years past. Not only that, but they are simply allowing fewer flyballs. The Palms' groundball rate is 5% lower than the year before. Much of the credit goes to the new pitchers in the rotation, Erik Bedard and Manny Parra. The Palms would like this trend to continue, as it would allow them to stay in more games with their powerful offense.

The Palms claimed the final game of their series in Cleveland. The runs came in back to back innings, with Cleveland scoring their run in the 2nd and the Palms batting around in the 3rd. John Jaso started the scoring with a home run, followed by a 2 run Tony Abreu triple and a double from Frank Sohn.  Miami Palms 4, Cleveland Indians 1  Thursday, August 27, 2015  Miami Palms (62-64)                                      Cleveland Indians (2-1)                                  Player          AB R  H BI BB SO  P  A  E LOB   Ave    ...

At the beginning of the year, the Palms were in great shape, mostly because all facets of their game were on point. Recently, however, they haven't been able to put together offense and defense on the same night. At this time, their pitching is fine, but they can't seem to score runs. Blake Johnston recently received a loss despite allowing 1 run in a complete game. Manny Parra also pitched a complete game. He allowed only 1 run of support, however. If Miami wants to make a big run again, they will need to develop some cohesion between their team units.

The Palms were unable to execute on offense once again, collecting 8 hits but scoring only 1 run. Cleveland had 8 hits, but three of those hits went over the fence, accounting for all 6 Cleveland runs. Jason Kipnis and Michael Brantley each had 3 RBI and 1 and 2 hom runs respectively.  Cleveland Indians 6, Miami Palms 1  Wednesday, August 26, 2015  Miami Palms (61-64)                                      Cleveland Indians (2-0)                                  Player          AB R  H BI BB SO  P  A  E LOB   Ave      Player ...

The Indians have a star pitcher in Corey Kluber, and he was paired against one of the best pitchers that the Palms have to offer. The strikeout totals were low, which meant the pitch counts were as well, and both starters pitched complete games, with a Giovanny Urshela second inning single providing the only run.  Cleveland Indians 1, Miami Palms 0  Tuesday, August 25, 2015  Miami Palms (61-63)                                      Cleveland Indians (1-0)                                  Player          AB R  H BI BB SO  P  A  E LOB   Ave  ...

Not many in the organization expected the Palms to get much of a replacement for Steve Drysdale this year, given Drysdale's skills at the plate. Instead, they got someone who may be better. John Jaso is the new DH, and has taken to the role quite admirably. He has the team lead in home runs, but his 296 average and good contact also place him atop the lineup. The do it all DH is seeing his jersey sell like crazy, a fan favorite after bouncing aroudn through his career

The Palms were very poor in July, but a recent change in fortunes has optimism back at an all time high. Miami is two games below .500 but a muddled picture in the American League means they aren't far out of playoff contention. Texas currently owns the second wild card spot at 64-59, which means the Palms are merely 3.5 games out of the playoffs with about a month and a half left to play. IF their fortunes continue to be favorable, the playoffs are a definite possibility.

Miami ended their high scoring series with the astros by coming away with a much needed series victory. John Jaso had another home run, this one a big late blast that added some separation between the Palms and 'stros, while Nick Markakis added a clutch double of his own.  Miami Palms 7, Houston Astros 5  Sunday, August 23, 2015  Miami Palms (61-62)                                      Houston Astros (3-3)                                     Player          AB R  H BI BB SO  P  A  E LOB   Ave      Player ...

The Palms and Astros were caught in a great back and forth offensive battle. The Palms never trailed, jumping out to an early lead with a couple of solo home runs from Coco Crisp and Tony Abreu. The Astros came back and tied it twice, but  big 7th inning, which included a 3 run home run from John Jaso, blew the game wide open and secured victory for Miami.  Miami Palms 11, Houston Astros 7  Saturday, August 22, 2015  Miami Palms (60-62)                                      Houston Astros (3-2)                                     Player          AB R  H BI BB...

The Palms held a narrow lead heading int the bottom of the 8th inning, but Houston was able to scratch and dclaw their way back into the top spot. Brett Hayes' saw the lead he delivered in the 6th disappear from behind the plate, thanks to a string of hits off of reliever Keith Harding.  Houston Astros 8, Miami Palms 6  Friday, August 21, 2015  Miami Palms (59-62)                                      Houston Astros (3-1)                                     Player          AB R  H BI BB SO  P  A  E LOB   Ave      Pl...

The Pals were on control throughout, thanks mostly to a dominant outing from Manny Parra. He pitched a complete game, allowing only a stray 9th inning sacrifice fly. The Palms nipped at the Orioles, scoring a run here and there, but a big triple in the 6th off the bat of Johnny Giavotella accounted for three runs, two on the hit, and later when Giavotella scored.  Miami Palms 6, Baltimore Orioles 1  Thursday, August 20, 2015  Baltimore Orioles (6-8)                                  Miami Palms (59-61)                                      Player          AB R  H BI BB SO  P...

It was a well pitched game by both squads on Wednesday evening, but it ultimately came down to a solo home run at the top of the 9th to deliver the O's a win. Steve Clevenger was the hero for Baltimore, while Johnny Giavotella produced the Palms only rrun with a homer of his own.  Baltimore Orioles 2, Miami Palms 1  Wednesday, August 19, 2015  Baltimore Orioles (6-7)                                  Miami Palms (58-61)                                      Player          AB R  H BI BB SO  P  A  E LOB   Ave      Player ...

Things did not go well for the Palms on Tuesday night. There were a pair of well timed JJ Hrdy doubles for Baltimore, including one that cleared the bases for and another that drove in two runs. John Danks wasn't his best, allowing 9 hits and 5 walks. Kevin Gausman scattered 4 hits in the win.  Baltimore Orioles 9, Miami Palms 1  Tuesday, August 18, 2015  Baltimore Orioles (4-7)                                  Miami Palms (58-59)                                      Player          AB R  H BI BB SO  P  A  E LOB   Ave      Player...