TOPOOZIAN DAZZLES AS STOMPERS BEAT J.P. HOWELL AND PACIFICS

(James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – After falling to the Martinez Clippers Friday night, the Sonoma Stompers rebounded quickly, scoring first against the San Rafael Pacifics and holding the lead through the rest of the game in their 5-3 victory Saturday evening.

In his fourth start of 2018, Dominic Topoozian continued his successful season, throwing seven shutout innings to go along with seven strikeouts. Topoozian only allowed five hits and just one walk in his league-leading third win of the season.

“Today, my changeup really stood out for me, keeping the hitters off balance,” he said. “I’ve always been a good command guy, my thing is first pitch strikes, get the leadoff man out and have 15 pitches or less in an inning and as long as I’m doing those three things, the day is going to go by quick.”

Topoozian averaged 14 pitches an inning over his outing and in a stretch from the second to sixth innings, retired 13 straight Pacifics hitters. The right-hander was also backed with early run support when the Stompers scored four runs in the third inning.

Facing former Major League veteran J.P. Howell for the second time in eight days, Sonoma erupted for four hits in the inning, with Kenny Meimerstorf’s second grand slam in a week breaking what was at the time a 0-0 tie. For the Stompers left fielder, it was his second hit of the season off of Howell.

“I tried to just put a good swing on it and it went out, I was super pumped,” Meimerstof said. “It feels pretty cool to have a couple of hits off of an ex-big leaguer.”

Daniel Baptista’s fifth-inning solo home run, his second of the season the lead to a 5-0 score that stuck until the ninth inning.

D.J. Sharabi pitched a scoreless eighth inning, then after Vijay Patel allowed three runs in the bottom of the ninth, Jacob Cox induced a ground ball for the final out to earn his sixth save of the season.

The Stompers travel to Pittsburg Sunday afternoon for a 1:00 p.m. Father’s Day game against the Diamonds.

STOMPERS FALL TO CLIPPERS TO SPLIT SERIES

(James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– Looking to win three games in a row for the first time in 2018, the Sonoma Stompers welcomed the Martinez Clippers back for the second game of a two-game series, but could not complete the sweep as they fell 10-5.

The Sonoma offense erupted early as four hits and two walks produced four runs in the second. Kenny Meimerstorf and Miles Williams both doubled, then Mitchell Ho and Daniel Baptista singled. Kam Stewart also drew one of his three walks on the night with the bases loaded to plate a run.

Mora-Loera hit his second home run of the season in the ninth, but down by five runs, the lead was too much to climb back from.

Patrick Conroy allowed just one run through his first three innings of work but a big fourth inning from the Clippers propelled their offense through the rest of the night.

The Stompers embark on a five game road trip Saturday in San Rafael, then play in Pittsburg Sunday before their off day Monday.

STOMPERS TOP CLIPPERS FOR BACK-TO-BACK WINs

(James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SSONOMA, Calif. – Riding the success of a come-from-behind victory on Wednesday, the Sonoma Stompers welcomed the Martinez Clippers into Palooza Park at Arnold Field Thursday evening for the third meeting between the two teams in 2018. Sonoma picked up a 4-2 victory, the team's eighth win of the season and second in as many days.

After taking the lead late on Wednesday, the Stompers jumped out early Thursday, scoring two runs in the first inning on the power of two hits, including a double from Kam Stewart.

While the Clippers scored in the fourth and sixth, Sonoma countered in the fifth and seventh. With two outs in the fifth, Kenny Meimerstorf crushed his fifth home run of the season to stretch the lead to 3-1. After another Stewart double in the seventh, Daniel Comstock singled him in to give the Stompers a 4-2 lead that held for the remainder of the ballgame.

Ethan Gibbons made his third start of the season, his second straight of at least seven innings. Manager Zack Pace then called upon Robert Maislin and Jacob Cox for the second straight night each as the two helped finish off the Clippers.

“It’s fun to go out there and do my job,” Cox said. “It’s fun because [the closer role] is high-risk, high-reward. The team plays their heart out for eight innings, I don’t want to ruin that chance for the win so I do it for them. If you think about doing it for other people, that’s when you’re allowed to put the team on your back and do it for them, not for yourself.”

One of those that Cox played for was Michael Gold, the son of Stompers partner Robin Gold, branch manager at Sonoma’s Union Bank. Michael was in the starting lineup as the designated hitter, batting eighth. With one out in the second, he ripped a ground ball up the middle for a single in his first professional at-bat, retiring with a perfect 1.000 batting average.

The Stompers host the Clippers again Friday night for JDRF Night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.

STOMPERS COME FROM BEHIND TO TOP PACIFICS

(James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– After two losses in four days to the San Rafael Pacifics, the Sonoma Stompers rebounded Wednesday night, coming from behind twice to claim a 3-2 victory.

Juan Espinosa started the game for the Stompers and had his best outing of the season, throwing six innings of one-run ball, while giving up just five hits and striking out six.

Once his outing was complete, Stompers manager Zack Pace turned to Robert Maislin, D.J. Sharabi and Jacob Cox to record the final nine outs of the game, totaling three strikeouts.

The Pacifics struck first in the fourth inning, taking a 1-0 lead that held until the bottom of the sixth when Miles Williams crushed his fifth home run of the season to tie the game at one.

San Rafael answered back in the seventh to take a 2-1 lead, but their lead did not last long. With two outs and a runner on, Kam Stewart blasted a home run deep to left field to give the Stompers a 3-2 lead.

For Stewart, it was his third hit of the day and first homer of the season.

“I was looking for a pitch middle in and I gave it a ride,” Stewart said. “After any big blast like that late in the game, that gives your team the lead, it definitely boosts the confidence and the morale of the club, it gives our pitchers more confidence too, knowing they’re going out there with a lead.”

After Sharabi retired San Rafael in the eighth, Cox set down the Pacifics easily in the ninth, en route to his league-leading fourth save of the year.

The Stompers welcome the Martinez Clippers into town next, with a two-game series starting Thursday. First pitch at Palooza Park at Arnold Field will be 6:05 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

STOMPERS DROP CLOSE GAME IN SAN RAFAEL TO PACIFICS

(James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – Looking to bounce back from their Saturday loss against the San Rafael Pacifics, the Sonoma Stompers returned to Albert Park, but a half inning was the difference and the Stompers fell to San Rafael 5-2.

Starter Ty’Relle Harris pitched a quality start for Sonoma, allowing two runs and five hits over five innings while walking just one batter and striking out nine.

Kenny Meimerstorf continued his hot hitting, crushing his fourth home run of the season to left field in the top of the sixth inning to tie the game at two. His homer, which tied Mitchell Ho and Miles Williams for the team lead, scored Kam Stewart from first, who reached on his second hit in as many games.

Eight of the nine Stompers in the lineup reached base, with seven collecting hits and Williams picking up his fifth multi-hit game of the season.

San Rafael sent all nine hitters to the plate in the bottom of the sixth and the Pacifics scored three runs to take a 5-2 lead that would hold for the remainder of the game.

Vijay Patel pitched 2.2 innings of scoreless relief, striking out five to tie his single-game high, but the three-run lead was too much for Sonoma to come back from.

The Stompers and Pacifics will have a rematch Wednesday in Sonoma with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m. at Palooza Park at Arnold Field.

Sonoma Stompers partner with KRAVE Jerky for fourth season

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club is proud to partner with KRAVE Jerky for the fourth season in a row. This season, the brand that revolutionized jerky with tender texture and bold flavors will present KRAVE Night on Wednesday, one day after National Jerky Day on Tuesday.

For National Jerky Day, KRAVE will give away 25,000 bags of delicious jerky across the United States. To celebrate locally, KRAVE will be hosting a raffle on KRAVE Night and will additionally be offering exciting KRAVE swag on other themed nights. Show your #KRAVElove by tagging @KRAVEJerky and using the hashtag #NationalJerkyDay on Tuesday.

Fans can use the hashtag #KRAVEbetter during each game while enjoying bold, satisfying jerky that doesn't compromise on nutrition or taste, and pairs perfectly with a cold gameday brew. Find KRAVE products at both of our ballpark concession stands, the Palooza Gastropub and Mary’s Slice Shack at Palooza Park at Arnold Field.

KRAVE will also once again bring the KRAVE Klub to the ballpark, located behind the third base dugout. The section offers comfortable seating complete with up-close views of all the Stompers action.

For more information about KRAVE, head to kravejerky.com or check out their bold flavors in a grocery store near you.

ABOUT THE STOMPERS

Established in 2014, the Stompers have three Pacific Association Championship appearances and one title. In addition to being featured in the National Baseball Hall of Fame several times, the Stompers were the subject of New York Times Bestseller "The Only Rule is it Has To Work" by Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller.

STOMPERS TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION

To purchase Stompers tickets and to find more information about the team, visit stompersbaseball.com, call us at (707) 938-7277 or send an email to info@stompersbaseball.com.

STOMPERS SPLIT WEEKEND WITH PACIFICS AND DIAMONDS

(James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– After sweeping the Pittsburg Diamonds at home, the Sonoma Stompers split their weekend games on the road, losing to the San Rafael Pacifics but bouncing back with a win in Pittsburg on Sunday.

Saturday, June 9 | Pacifics 7, Stompers 2

In manager Zack Pace’s first game back in San Rafael since his five-year playing career there, the skipper sent four-year Pacifics veteran Patrick Conroy to the mound to start for the rival Stompers. Conroy held his former team hitless in four of six innings while striking out two.

“It was fun, other than we lost,” Pace said on his return to San Rafael. “It was a good time seeing everybody and all the great relationships I had over there with players, coaches, fans.”

Left fielder Kenny Meimerstorf continued on his offensive tear despite the loss, ripping two singles and scoring Sonoma’s first run of the game in the fifth inning. One of those hits came against former Major Leaguer J.P. Howell. Howell most recently played for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017.

The Stompers managed just two hits off of Howell, one of them by Meimersdorf and the other off the bat of catcher Daniel Comstock. Daniel Baptista also delivered, crushing his first home run of the season in the ninth. The efforts proved futile as the Pacifics won 7-2.

Sunday, June 10 | Stompers 6, Diamonds 4

The Stompers rebounded well on Sunday, getting out to an early 2-1 lead after just an inning and a half. Pittsburg scored two runs in the bottom of the second, but Meimerstorf sent a grand slam over the left field fence in the fifth inning to put the Stompers back on top for good at 6-4.

Dominic Topoozian earned his second win of the season, going six strong innings with five strikeouts and no walks. Robert Maislin, D.J. Sharabi and Jacob Cox combined for three scoreless inning out of the bullpen to seal the victory, Sonoma’s sixth of the season.

“I thought we pitched pretty well today, Dom did a great job for us,” Pace said. “It was a good way to finish the week, finish the week strong two games above 500. I thought we did a good job battling.”

After an off day on Monday, the Stompers head back to San Rafael Tuesday, then welcome the Pacifics home in Sonoma Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. and 6:05 p.m. respectively.

STOMPERS SWEEP DIAMONDS TO EVEN SEASON SERIES

(James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers took revenge on the Pittsburg Diamonds, sweeping them Thursday and Friday after being swept in the last series they faced the Diamonds.

Thursday’s game ended in a walk off, with Daniel Comstock singling in two runners for the 11-10 win. Friday’s game was closer, as the 5-2 final was dominated by pitching and a big offensive inning from each team.

The Diamonds jumped out ahead early in game one, leading 8-1 through four and a half innings, with Miles Williams’ fourth home run of the season being the only offense of the game. The Stompers bats got to work in the sixth inning, scoring five runs on five walks and one hit.

Sonoma tied the game in the bottom of the eighth, drawing two more walks and collecting a pair of hits. Williams collected his second hit of the game with an RBI single and Kenny Meimerstorf extended his season-opening hit streak to seven games in the same manner.

Robbie Kidd and D.J. Sharabi combined for four hitless innings out of the bullpen, combining for seven strikeouts to keep the game close and provide the Stompers with a chance to win.

“We kept grinding out at-bats and hats off to our bullpen,” Comstock said. “They kept us in the game and gave us a shot to chip away and battle back and we put some good AB’s together.”

Comstock’s leadoff single with the international tiebreaker rule in effect scored Rob DeAngelis and pinch runner Marcus Bradley to carry momentum into Friday’s game for the Stompers.

“It’s unbelievable,” Comstock said. “We were down 8-1, there was no panic, there was a sense of calm in the game, we were always in the ballgame with our bats.”

While Pittsburg once again scored first, Sonoma countered quickly, putting up five runs in the fourth inning on four hits, including DeAngelis’ first hit with the team, a two-run triple and a two-run moonshot of a home run from Meimerstorf.

Starter Ethan Gibbons carried the team all night long, with the hits and runs he gave up in the third inning being the only ones the Diamonds managed all night long.

“Once I got my rhythm after they scored the two runs in the third, I really just settled in, for me my fastball control is everything.” Gibbons said. “Once I was able to establish my fastball down, I was having a lot of fun out there.”

After seven innings with seven strikeouts, he handed the ball off to Robert Maislin and Jacob Cox, who struck out four over the final two innings to increase the Stompers record in 2018 to 5-3.

“That’s a tough job,” Gibbons said. “It was nice to see them come out, great job.”

Sonoma travels to San Rafael Saturday for a 5 p.m. game against the Pacifics before facing the Diamonds in Pittsburg at 1 p.m. Sunday.

STOMPERS SPLIT SERIES WITH SILVERADOS

(James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif. – The Sonoma Stompers took their third loss of the season and first at home on Wednesday night, falling 8-5 to the Napa Silverados.

Starter Ty’Relle Harris, who was an important performer in the Stompers’ 2017 campaign, returned to the roster and went four innings, allowing five runs and five hits.

Defensive miscues doomed the Stompers, who were unable to make up the deficit at the plate. Sonoma’s five runs made for a season low. In their first five games, Sonoma scored 44 runs.

Stompers manager Zack Pace brought center fielder Marcus Bradley in to pitch the ninth. Bradley struck out the side, meaning Sonoma position players have pitched three hitless innings this season with five strikeouts.

Bradley, Kenny Meimerstorf and Mitchell Ho all extended their season-long hitting streaks to six games. While the Stompers mounted a comeback in the ninth, bringing the tying run to the on-deck circle twice, they failed to comeback all the way, dropping to .500 on the season.

Sonoma looks to rebound as they welcome the Pittsburg Diamonds in to town Thursday and Friday for a two-game set with first pitch slated for 6:05 p.m. both days.

SONOMA STOMPS SILVERADOS IN FUN-FILLED HOME OPENER

(James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif. – The first matchup between the newly-minted Napa Silverados and the Sonoma Stompers brought the longtime rivalry between the two valleys to the baseball diamond Tuesday night in Sonoma.

On the field the Stompers won 6-4, as both teams delivered strong pitching performances culminating in the Stompers’ lowest-scoring game to date this season. The difference was a throwing error in the third that allowed Marcus Bradley to advance to third and scored two.

Errors were a trend in the game, as another throwing error by Napa shortstop Nick Kern sent two more Stompers runs to the plate in the seventh.

Mitchell Ho hit his fourth home run in as many games, while Bradley continued to deliver offensively, turning in a three-hit performance, his third multi-hit game.

Starter Dominic Topoozian pitched five strong innings with six strikeouts en route to the win, but credited the rest of his team with the victory.

“There’s no quit, there’s no panic in these guys, even if things don’t go our way, we’re always fighting,” Topoozian said. “We all got each other’s back, we know that deep down.”

Following Topozzian’s performance, the bullpen combined to allow two runs over the final four innings, striking out four, capped off by Jacob Cox, who earned his first save of the year.

Off the field, the Stompers welcomed new concessions partners Palooza Brewery and Gastropub into the fold. The Kenwood-based restaurant delivered gourmet burgers and hot dogs as well as elevated fare like lobster rolls and truffle fries.

“It’s amazing to work with Palooza owner Jeff Tyler and general manager Patrick Odenthal. Hats off to them for all of their hard work in renovating the concessions stands and delivering quality ballpark food,” said Stompers general manager Brett Creamer.

Nearly 400 fans attended the event, which saw Mayor Madolyn Agrimonti throw the ceremonial first pitch and local trio the Cork Pullers deliver a spirited performance of the Star Spangled Banner.

The game was the first at home for new manager Zack Pace and first-year general manager Creamer.

“Without my entire team, especially the front office staff, interns, seasonal employees and baseball operations staff, we couldn’t have pulled it off. Six months of preparation have panned out and it was great to see the community support on top of that,” Creamer said. “Plus, we got the W.”