Miami Palms Blog

  With a 2-9 record, there are likely to be many culprits, but as it happens, there are some players performing well, like Frank Sohn, Edwin Encarnacion and Manny Parra. Unfortunately, the 2-4 hitters in the lineup, generally expected to be a source of productivity, and the back end of the bullpen can be singles out as being thorns in side of the team’s success. Make no mistake, this is a team with a lot of warts, but some better performances from these important spots and the team would be much more respectable. The two most recent games have been blown by Brian Matusz and Braden Shipley who, on back to back days gave up 2 home runs and sacrificed a lead on games the Palms ultimately lost. Shipley has had a very rough season, posting an ERA above 10 so far tis season. Matusz hasn’t been much better, but the spotlight has ben on him, working in situations where games are close and late. His failures are much more glaring. Before those two tough games from the bullpen, Miami scored ...

Just because they were on the road didn't mean that things were going to change for Miami. For the second game in a row, it was the bullpen that let the rest of the team down. Nick Markakis had a clutch two run double in the 7th to put Miami ahead 4-2, but Braden Shipley served up the game tying and game winning home runs off the bats of Renato Nunez and Hanser Alberto. The Palms losing streak has reached 6 games, and looks to sink their season before it has a chance to really get going.  Baltimore Orioles 5, Miami Palms 4  Monday, April 8, 2019      Miami Palms (2-9)                                        Baltimore Orioles (1-0)                                   Player          AB R  H BI BB SO  P  A  E LOB   Ave  ...

 The Angels completed a sweep in Miami, sending the Palms on the road for the first time with a dismal 2-8 record. If nothing else, at least this game brought excitement. The Palms jumped out to an early lead thanks to a Jaspero Gonzalez home run. Andrelton Simmons put the Angels in front with a three run shot, but Yairo Munoz hit his first home run as a Palm, with a three run blast to give Miami the lead once again. The Palms were ahead by 2 in the top of the 9th when Tommy La Stella homered to tie it up. Simmons homered again to give LA the lead, and they grabbed an insurance run later in the inning. Not only have the Palms been bad, but their losses have at times been excruciating. They hit the road to Baltimore to start their road schedule.  Los Angeles Angels 8, Miami Palms 6  Sunday, April 7, 2019      Los Angeles Angels (3-0)                                 Miami Pal...

 The Palms sluggish start to the season continues. They got a great sophomore start from Erick Fedde, who worked 7 scoreless innings after a rough debut. He struck out 9 and scattered 5 hits. Unfortunately, his opponent Tyler Skaggs only allowed 1 hit over 9 innings. The Palms would get 6 hits through the 12 innings, but they couldn't string any together. The Angels won when David Fletcher lead with a triple and scored on a Mike Trout single in the top of the 12th. The 2-7 Palms will try to take the final game against the Angels before trying to change their fortunes on the road.  Los Angeles Angels 1, Miami Palms 0  Saturday, April 6, 2019      Los Angeles Angels (2-0)                                 Miami Palms (2-7)                                         Player ...

 The Angels used the long ball to their advantage in the first meeting between Miami and LA this season. The Angels got a home run rom Mike Trout in the top of the first, and never trailed. Trout got another RBI with a bases loaded beanball, and then the Angels got more big blasts from Brian Godwin, Kole Calhoun and Zack Cozart. On the positive side, Pat Grant seems to be shaking out of an early season funk, going 3-4 with both runs batted in for Miami. Nevertheless, 2-6 is not where they want to be through 8 games, and they hope to put forth a better effort over the weekend.  Los Angeles Angels 6, Miami Palms 2  Friday, April 5, 2019      Los Angeles Angels (1-0)                                 Miami Palms (2-6)                                         Player  ...

 One of the biggest question marks the Palms had this season was how the infield was going to sort itself out. Through 6 games, it seems as though Miami made the right choice, instilling Yairo Munoz as the every day short stop. He's been a non stop hitting machine, making sure that opposing pitchers have to bring their A game from batters 1 through 9.  Behind Munoz though, the Palms have a bench that is struggling. Neither Greg Garcia nor Matt Koch have collected a hit in 5 combined games of play. That complete lack of offense doesn't pair well with a team who faced their two toughest rivals in series to start the 2019 season. Players like Pat Grant and Yasmani Granda will contribute, even though their starts are slow, but they need a better output from their bench if they want to feel confident that they can weather a slowdown from their regulars. 

 On a Wednesday afternoon, many players were given the afternoon off, and that had a significant impact on the offense. Jonathan Loaisiga pitched a "Maddux", a shut out with fewer than 100 pitches, while allowing only 6 hits and striking out 7. The game was close until the 8th, but the Yankees hit two home runs, a solo shot from Mike Tauchmann and a three run shot from Gary Sanchez to double the lead. Miami hopes their sluggish start is shaken as they welcome the Angels to Palms Park tomorrow.   New York Yankees 6, Miami Palms 0  Wednesday, April 3, 2019      New York Yankees (2-1)                                   Miami Palms (2-5)                                         Player          AB R  H BI BB SO  P  A  E LOB...