JOHNSTON SPINS GEM AS PALMS BLANK A’S

 MIAMI — Blake Johnston’s finest performance of the young season couldn’t have come at a better time.

The right-hander fired a complete-game shutout, scattering six hits and striking out seven as the Miami Palms blanked the Oakland A’s 4–0 on a soggy Saturday evening at Coca-Cola Palms Park.

“This was Blake at his absolute best,” manager Scott Hatteberg said. “He was efficient, he got ahead of hitters, and he never gave them a chance to breathe.”

Johnston needed just 101 pitches to go the distance, never allowing more than one baserunner in an inning. The A’s, coming off a seven-run outburst the night before, had no answers.

“He kept changing speeds, hitting his spots,” said catcher Matt Wieters. “It was fun to be behind the plate for that one.”

The Palms’ offense gave Johnston all the support he’d need in the fourth, when Greg Garcia launched a towering two-run homer to right, his first on the season. Nick Markakis added insurance with a solo shot in the sixth, continuing his steady uptick at the plate.

“Felt good to finally square one up,” said Garcia, who had three hits on the night. “Just trying to contribute when I’m in there.”

With the win, Miami improves to 6–9 on the year. The Palms will look to even the four-game set on Sunday behind Brian Kragh, making his season debut.

Miami Palms 4, Oakland A's 0  

Saturday, April 11, 2020 — Coca-Cola Palms Park, Miami, FL


Oakland A's (1-2)               AB  R  H BI  BB SO   AVG  

Semien ss                        4  0  0  0   0  0  .231  

Laureano cf                      4  0  1  0   0  1  .231  

Olson 1b                         4  0  1  0   0  1  .462  

Chapman 3b                       3  0  0  0   1  0  .333  

Piscotty rf                      4  0  1  0   0  0  .231  

Davis dh                         4  0  1  0   0  2  .231  

Murphy c                         4  0  0  0   0  3  .333  

Grossman lf                      3  0  1  0   0  0  .333  

Kemp 2b                          3  0  1  0   0  0  .333  

TOTALS                          33  0  6  0   1  7


Miami Palms (6-9)              AB  R  H BI  BB SO   AVG  

Gardner cf                       5  0  1  0   0  0  .308  

Markakis lf                      4  1  2  1   0  0  .218  

Gonzalez 2b                      4  0  1  0   0  0  .340  

Korb 3b                          4  0  2  0   0  0  .286  

Encarnacion 1b                   4  0  1  0   0  1  .245  

Sohn rf                          4  0  1  0   0  1  .258  

Wieters c                        3  1  0  0   1  0  .318  

Munoz ss                         3  1  0  0   1  1  .289  

Garcia dh                        4  1  3  3   0  1  .500  

TOTALS                          35  4 11  4   2  4


HR: Garcia (1), Markakis (1)  

2B: Davis (1), Kemp (1), Encarnacion (3), Korb (2), Markakis (3)  

RBI: Garcia 3 (3), Markakis (5)  

LOB: Oakland 7, Miami 9


Pitching Summary:

Oakland A's                   IP  H  R ER BB SO   ERA  

Luzardo (L, 0-1)             6.0  8  3  3  2  3  4.50  

Wendelken                    1.0  2  1  1  0  1  9.00  

Diekman                      1.0  1  0  0  0  0  3.38  


Miami Palms                 IP  H  R ER BB SO   ERA  

Johnston (W, 2-1)           9.0  6  0  0  1  7  1.42  


Weather: 76°F, Thunderstorms, Wind ESE 18 mph  


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