Miami Palms Blog

 Miami got their road trip off to a disappointing start. The Angels took an early lead thanks to a 2 run double from Shohei Ohtani, but a Yasmani Grandal single scored 2 for the Palms. Justin Upton put the Angels back in front with a solo homer, while Brock Holt doubled to tie the game again. In the end, Mike Morin, entering his third full inning of work, loaded the bases with nobody out. After striking out Anthony Bemboom, David Fletcher hit a grounder to second. After getting the runner at second, Fletcher beat the throw to first to give the Angels the series opener.  Los Angeles Angels 4, Miami Palms 3  Friday, August 16, 2019      Miami Palms (59-64)                                      Los Angeles Angels (4-0)                                  Player      ...

  The season has not gone as planned so far in 2019 for Miami, but thanks to some lingering competitive zeal, they or only a couple of games below .500, and 12 games out of the final wild card spot. It will be a difficult challenge to earn that last spot, but not impossible. Miami is on the road for the next 13 games, but then find themselves at Palms Park for much of the remainder of the season. An above .500 record this road trip is mandatory, and even then, a very strong finish will be required as well. It seems overdramatic to say that this road set will make or break their season, but in this case, a bad trip will certainly break it.

 Miami dropped the first game of this set, but came back to take the final two to complete their series victory over Texas. There were three triples in the game, including 2 from the Palms in the 2nd, part of Miami's rally in that inning. Manny Parra was effective, scattering 6 hits and striking out 7.   Miami Palms 4, Texas Rangers 2  Thursday, August 15, 2019      Texas Rangers (1-4)                                      Miami Palms (59-63)                                       Player          AB R  H BI BB SO  P  A  E LOB   Ave      Player          AB R  H BI BB SO  P  A  E LOB   Ave        ------    ...

 One of the silver linings to a tough season has been the emergence of third baseman Chris Korb. He already sits at 21 home runs, which is in line with his average total for an entire season. At his current trajectory, with a month and a half left on the season, besting his highest season total of 24 shouldn't be an issue. Korb is also hitting .295, another unforeseen positive to the hot cornerman's season. 

 Miami ensured a season series victory against Texas thanks to a strong start, both from the offense and from Jarod Lantz. Wellington Castillo drove in three, including 2 on a 4th inning single. Chris Korb hit a 2 run home and Yairo Munoz had a solo shot. Meanwhile, Lantz worked 7 scoreless innings with 7 strikeouts.   Miami Palms 7, Texas Rangers 4  Wednesday, August 14, 2019      Texas Rangers (1-3)                                      Miami Palms (58-63)                                       Player          AB R  H BI BB SO  P  A  E LOB   Ave      Player          AB R  H BI BB SO  P  A  E LOB   Ave        -----...

 Miami's swoon to begin August continued as they opened their series with the Rangers. The Palms were held scoreless, while the Rangers bopped three solo home runs off of Blake Johnston, and scored another run off of Braden Shipley.   Texas Rangers 4, Miami Palms 0  Tuesday, August 13, 2019      Texas Rangers (1-2)                                      Miami Palms (57-63)                                       Player          AB R  H BI BB SO  P  A  E LOB   Ave      Player          AB R  H BI BB SO  P  A  E LOB   Ave        ------          -- -  - -- -- --  -  -  - ---...

  Miami was neither good enough nor bad enough to make many moves at the trade deadline, and now there is a certain malaise that seems to have embraced the team as a whole. Miami has only won twice since the beginning of August, perhaps making some regret not moving some of their more highly valued assets ahead of the deadline. Team spokespersons have insisted they appreciate the veteran leadership remaining on the roster helping to develop younger players, though outside observers are right to be skeptical.

 The Palms had a very tough time against the perennial ace Justin Verlander on Sunday afternoon, collecting only 4 hits through Verlander's 8 innings of work. The Astros loaded the bases three times, and had a run walked in in the 1st, with a bases clearing triple coming in the 3rd, both by Carlos Correa. Yordan Alvarez's 6th inning home concluded the scoring. The Rangers finish the Texas 2 step in Miami on Monday.  Houston Astros 7, Miami Palms 1  Sunday, August 11, 2019      Houston Astros (4-2)                                     Miami Palms (57-62)                                       Player          AB R  H BI BB SO  P  A  E LOB   Ave      Player          AB R  ...

 It seems as though Frank Sohn's days as a menacing power threat aren't yet behind him. The veteran outfielder now known primarily for his fielding abilities has crushed 4 homer in the short stretch since August began. He's nearly doubled his home run total as a result.  Sohn has been a reliable double digit, up to around 20 home runs a year type of hitter for a while now, but had a surge in 2013 and 14, surpassing 30 home runs in each season. He hit 37 in 2013. The surge is heartening for Sohn, who has returned to the bottom of the lineup, a spot where he swung at the beginning of his career. With struggles arising elsewhere, he may be needed further up before too long. 

 If it weren't for Frank Sohn, the Palms would have had an even rougher go of things. The recently powerful Sohn clobbered 2 homers to account for all 4 of Miami's runs. The game was tied until the top of the ninth when Martin Maldonado put Houston ahead at the last minute.   Houston Astros 6, Miami Palms 4  Saturday, August 10, 2019      Houston Astros (3-2)                                     Miami Palms (57-61)                                       Player          AB R  H BI BB SO  P  A  E LOB   Ave      Player          AB R  H BI BB SO  P  A  E LOB   Ave        ------          -- -...