Eight-Run Eighth Inning Lights Up Sonoma Stompers in 11-7 Comeback Victory Over Pittsburg Diamonds

Scott David gave the Sonoma Stompers the lead with a three-run triple in the eighth inning of Saturday’s 11-7 comeback win over the Pittsburg Diamonds. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Scott David gave the Sonoma Stompers the lead with a three-run triple in the eighth inning of Saturday’s 11-7 comeback win over the Pittsburg Diamonds. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Hayley M. Slye / Sonoma Stompers

SONOMA, Calif.– The lights at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field flickered and went out in the seventh inning of the Sonoma Stompers’ Saturday contest against the Pittsburg Diamonds. The game was delayed as the lights reset, but when they came back on, so did the Sonoma offense. 

The Stompers, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, strung together an eight-run rally in the next inning. After Sonoma capitalized on a handful of errors and walks to tie the game at seven, Scott David hit a towering three-run triple into the gap to give the Stompers a three-run lead.

David was also the one at the plate when the lights went off the inning before. Closer Jacob Cox pitched a quick ninth inning to secure the Stompers’ 11-7 victory.

“That was a great comeback. The whole light situation really worked out in our favor. We came back with new energy after that,” said left fielder Brennan Metzger. “That was wild.”

Prior to the eighth, the Stompers offense flickered, recording just five hits compared to the Diamonds’ 12. Three of those hits came off the bat of Metzger, who extended a hitting streak to 14 games. Metzger also collected four base hits in Friday night’s game.

“It’s just kind of clicking right now. I feel good at the plate, I’m seeing the ball well. Sometimes, you get lucky too,” Metzger said.

Catcher Isaac Wenrich also lit up the Stompers at the plate, driving in four runs on Saturday.

“I’ve been struggling a little bit, and (my teammates) just constantly put that confidence back in me to know that I can still do this,” Wenrich said. “Just having them by my side has made me grow every day. I can’t thank them enough for that.”

On the mound, starter Taylor Thurber allowed three earned runs through four and one thirds innings, striking out four and walking just one. In relief, Zach Wendorf recorded another scoreless outing and continued a run of solid appearances.

The Stompers will look for the sweep Sunday at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m.

STOMPERS TICKETS
Tickets and merchandise are available now either online or at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. Tickets will also be available at the box office on game days, beginning 30 minutes prior to the game.

For more information, please contact the front office at 707-938-7277, or email info@stompersbaseball.com.

Sonoma Stompers Create Leadership Award in Chris Matthews' Honor, Select Ty'Relle Harris as 2017 Recipient

Pitcher Ty'Relle Harris and 2016 bench coach Chris Matthews pose with manager Takashi Miyoshi after accepting their Chris Matthews Awards in a pre-game ceremony on Friday. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Pitcher Ty'Relle Harris and 2016 bench coach Chris Matthews pose with manager Takashi Miyoshi after accepting their Chris Matthews Awards in a pre-game ceremony on Friday. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, presented the inaugural and 2017 Chris Matthews Awards to its namesake and pitcher Ty’Relle Harris in a pre-game ceremony Friday.

The award honors those in the clubhouse who exemplify the qualities of generosity, dedication to the team and leadership that Chris Matthews showed as bench coach of the 2016 Pacific Association championship team.

“He started games, he charted games. He did laundry, he vacuumed the clubhouse. He helped organize men and served as a voice of reason and provided a stable, consistent perspective through the ups and downs of a professional baseball season,” said Stompers president and general manager Theo Fightmaster. “The Stompers have been built on the premise that we need to find good people and treat them well. Chris is quite possibly the best human being we've found so far.”

Manager Takashi Miyoshi also gave an emotional testament to Matthews’ hard work and spirit, crediting him with the clubhouse’s “winning culture.”

"I first met Yosh back in 2013 when we were both with Grand Prairie in the American Association. It completely flipped my baseball world upside down. Getting someone of that caliber to take me under his wing and guide me around was a huge blessing," Matthews said. "I'm very humbled by this."

For the impact he has made since joining the team in June, Harris was presented with the 2017 Chris Matthews Award.

“T got here and there was another grown man in the clubhouse, a fierce competitor out on the mound, someone taking everyone from the guy barbecuing hot dogs right now to Kelsie Whitmore to Mike Jackson and making them better too," Fightmaster said. "For T's spirit, his swagger, his confidence, the least of which, his performance on the baseball field, he is the 2017 Chris Matthews Award winner."

Harris thanked his teammates first for letting him be himself.

"Baseball is a sport that revolves around failure. It's easy to stress out, but it's the right group of girls and guys in the clubhouse that allows you to have success,” Harris said.

STOMPERS TICKETS
Tickets and merchandise are available now either online or at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. Tickets will also be available at the box office on game days, beginning 30 minutes prior to the game.

For more information, please contact the front office at 707-938-7277, or email info@stompersbaseball.com.

Sonoma Stompers Defeat Pittsburg Diamonds 9-3 In Tyler Garkow's Last Start Before Heading to Frontier League

Starter Tyler Garkow struck out eight in Friday's 9-3 win over the Pittsburg Diamonds to give the Stompers back their spot alone at the top of the Pacific Association standings. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Starter Tyler Garkow struck out eight in Friday's 9-3 win over the Pittsburg Diamonds to give the Stompers back their spot alone at the top of the Pacific Association standings. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, broke a four-game losing streak with a brilliant, 9-3 victory over the Pittsburg Diamonds. 

The shining offensive effort puts the Stompers back in rarefied air at first place, one game ahead of the Vallejo Admirals. Thursday marked the only day this season the Stompers have not been alone atop the Pacific Association standings.

Sonoma starter Tyler Garkow struck out eight through six and two-thirds innings, issuing just one walk. The performance marked his last one as a Stomper before heading to the Washington WildThings of the Frontier League.

“We’re all doing the best we can and we’re still fighting and scratching and clawing for that dream. I’m just fortunate enough to be one step closer,” Garkow said. “It doesn’t mean I’m more deserving than anybody else, I just got the opportunity. I just have to make the most of it.”

He is the second Stomper to ascend to a higher league this season as bullpen arm Ryan Richardson left to play in Japan in early August.

“Garkow is a great guy on and off the field, hard worker on and off. Every day I see him at the Gym, he’s never lazy. He definitely deserves this opportunity,” said manager Takashi Miyoshi.

Garkow kept the Diamonds off the board through three, when Pittsburg recorded its first hit of the night with a home run off the bat of Jose Garcia. The Diamonds followed it up with two base hits, but Garkow shut the inning down and kept the damage at one run. A two-RBI single in the fifth represented the other pair of runs. 

Brennan Metzger, who came into Friday on a 12-game hitting streak, extended that streak to 13 games with a 4 for 5 performance. He has recorded a hit in every game since July 19. Yuki Yasuda and Derrick fox also contributed on offense, going 4 for 4 and 3 for 5, respectively. 

“Today, everyone loosened up, relaxed and just put the ball in play,” Miyoshi said.

Relievers Zach Wendorf and Jacob Cox each pitched about an inning of scoreless work to secure the win for Sonoma, combining to strike out three and allow no hits.

The Stompers will look to put together a string of wins Saturday at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field for the second game of the series. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. 

STOMPERS TICKETS

Tickets and merchandise are available now either online or at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. Tickets will also be available at the box office on game days, beginning 30 minutes prior to the game. 

For more information, please contact the front office at 707-938-7277, or email info@stompersbaseball.com.

Sonoma Stompers Host Trio of Special Events Over Weekend Homestand

Stompers fans congregate outside of Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field before a 2017 Stompers game. (Darcy Dellera / Sonoma Stompers)

Stompers fans congregate outside of Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field before a 2017 Stompers game. (Darcy Dellera / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, is proud to host First Responders Night, Make-A-Wish Night and Italian Heritage Night dring this weekend’s homestand.

FIRST RESPONDERS NIGHT - AUG. 11

Leading off on Friday, the Stompers want to give back to members of the local community that put their lives on the line every day. Any first responder with an ID or uniform will receive $5 off the price of a ticket at the gate.

Post-game, fans who purchase a special event ticket will have the opportunity to test their home run skills against Stompers players Joel Carranza and Daniel Baptista.

FIRST RESPONDERS NIGHT TICKETS  | HOME RUN DERBY SPECIAL EVENT TICKETS

MAKE-A-WISH NIGHT - AUG. 12

On Saturday, fans are welcome to join the Stompers as they support Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area. The event comes after the North Bay “Walk for Wishes” at Shollenberger Park in Petaluma that morning at 8 a.m.

All of the proceeds from the walk will go straight to Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area, which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening conditions and works to spread joy. A portion of the proceeds from the Stompers game on Aug. 12 will also go to the organization.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE WALK FOR WISHES | MAKE-A-WISH NIGHT TICKETS

ITALIAN HERITAGE NIGHT - AUG. 13

On Sunday, the Stompers will host the Greve in Chianti, Italy Sister Cities Committee as well as an exciting tote bag giveaway from Mia's Kitchen. Mia’s Kitchen makes innovative, handmade specialty food products.

The Stompers will also welcome Sonoma Mayor Rachel Hundley for a special pre-game ceremony. 

On Sunday, the Stompers will host the Greve in Chianti, Italy Sister Cities Committee, and a giveaway to the first 100 attendees from sponsor Mia’s Kitchen.  Mia’s Kitchen has a line of gourmet pasta sauces, olive oils and vinegars in stores nationwide. 

The Stompers will also welcome Sonoma Mayor Rachel Hundley for a special pre-game ceremony.

ITALIAN HERITAGE NIGHT TICKETS

STOMPERS TICKETS

Tickets and merchandise are available now either online or at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. Tickets will also be available at the box office on game days, beginning 30 minutes prior to the game.

For more information, please contact the front office at 707-938-7277, or email info@stompersbaseball.com.

PRESS CONTACT

Hayley M. Slye | hayley@stompersbaseball.com | (949) 547-1676 | stompersbaseball.com

 

Sonoma Stompers Swept for First Time in 2017 With a 2-1 Loss to the Vallejo Admirals

Ty'Relle Harris pitched seven strong innings in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Vallejo Admirals, striking out seven and allowing just two earned runs–both of which came in the first inning. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Ty'Relle Harris pitched seven strong innings in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Vallejo Admirals, striking out seven and allowing just two earned runs–both of which came in the first inning. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, were swept for the first time this season with a 2-1 loss to the Vallejo Admirals on Thursday.

Until Thursday, the Stompers had been on the winning end of a sweep eight times. With the loss, the Stompers’ overall record drops to 40-20. Both teams leave the series with a 12-9 second half record, leaving the two tied at first place and marking the first time this season Sonoma has relinquished the first place spot in the standings.

The Stompers loaded the bases twice to no avail, and managed just two hits through seven off of Admirals pitching. The only Sonoma run came on a balk in the second inning.

While the Admirals staff quieted Stompers hitters, Sonoma starter Ty’Relle Harris’ only blemish came on a two-run RBI double from Shawn Payne in the first. After that, he kept the Admirals off the board and struck out seven.

DJ Sharabi took Harris’ lead, pitching two scoreless innings in relief.

A bright spot on offense through the Stompers’ four-game skid has been a hitting streak from Brennan Metzger. Metzger singled to move runners into scoring position and load the bases in the fifth, extending his streak to 12 games.

With no outs in the eighth, Eddie Mora-Loera made noise in a clutch situation, advancing to second on a botched drop third strike, but Sonoma squandered the opportunity to score.

The Stompers’ homestand continues on Friday as the team welcomes the Pittsburg Diamonds, who are also climbing in the Pacific Association standings after picking up their third win in a row on Thursday. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m.

STOMPERS TICKETS
Tickets and merchandise are available now either online or at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. Tickets will also be available at the box office on game days, beginning 30 minutes prior to the game.

For more information, please contact the front office at 707-938-7277, or email info@stompersbaseball.com.

Sonoma Stompers Welcome Three-Time World Series Champion Vida Blue, Fall 7-3 to Vallejo Admirals

Three-time World Series Champion Vida Blue was on hand at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark Wednesday night to share insight with Sonoma Stompers players, throw out the first pitch and mingle with fans. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Three-time World Series Champion Vida Blue was on hand at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark Wednesday night to share insight with Sonoma Stompers players, throw out the first pitch and mingle with fans. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Hayley M. Slye / Sonoma Stompers

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, welcomed former Major League Most Valuable Player and three-time World Series Champion Vida Blue prior to Wednesday night’s matchup with the Vallejo Admirals.

Blue played 17 years in the Major Leagues for teams including the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics. He was part of the A’s team that won three consecutive World Series titles in 1972-74 and won both the MVP and the Cy Young Award in 1971.

Before the game, Blue met with the Stompers team to answer questions and share insight from his illustrious baseball career.

“He’s a force in the game. He’s a big name. It was just an honor to even have him in our presence and come talk to us,” said Stompers shortstop Derrick Fox. “It was a joy to meet him.”

Blue also threw the first pitch, a strike, and signed autographs for fans.  

STOMPERS DOWNED BY ADMIRALS

Derrick Fox is greeted with a tunnel in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the third inning of Wednesday's 7-3 loss to the Vallejo Admirals at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Derrick Fox is greeted with a tunnel in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the third inning of Wednesday's 7-3 loss to the Vallejo Admirals at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Later in the night, the Admirals defeated the Stompers 7-3 in part with a pair of two-run homers.

The Admirals, who finished in last at the end of the first half, have caught fire in the second and sit just one game back of the league-leading Stompers.

Fox also caught fire, but for Sonoma. Fox knocked two base hits on Wednesday, one of which was a solo shot to right in the third. It was Fox’s first home run as a Stomper since returning to the team this season.

“I was just looking for something to drive, really just trying to get on base at that point in the game,” Fox said. “When I hit it, I kind of knew it was gone.”

The Admirals also made noise early with the long ball. Mike Blank went yard in the first, driving in two Vallejo runs. Sonoma starter Scott Plaza struck out eight in six innings of work, allowing four earned runs.`

The Stompers offense steadied in the later innings. By the end of the night, all but two Stompers had a hit. Fox and Matt Hibbert, who celebrated a birthday on Wednesday, both recorded a pair of hits while Brennan Metzger extended a hitting streak to 11 games.

“We had good approaches, we stayed positive throughout the whole game. I feel like we’ve just got to come out and play hard and just keep upping the intensity,” Fox said.

It was a two-run home run in the ninth that solidified the win for Vallejo. With Graylin Derke on base, Quintin Rohrbaugh homered to make the score 7-2. The Stompers answered with one run in the bottom of the frame, but did not overcome the five-run lead.

With the loss, the Stompers drop to 40-19 on the season and 12-8 in the second half while the Admirals climb to 23-36 overall, 11-9 in the second half. Since they won the first half title, if the Stompers finish in first place in the second half they will be the outright champions.

“I love being out here in Sonoma. I love having this jersey on my back,” Fox said. “I came out here just to try to get another championship for this organization.”

ON DECK AT THE BALLPARK

The last game of the series is slated to begin at 6 p.m. Thursday night, which will also feature a pre-game ceremony for Japanese Heritage Night and a book signing from Ila Borders biographer Jean Ardell.

Ardell will be selling and signing copies of the book she and Borders wrote together, “Making My Pitch: A Woman’s Baseball Odyssey.”

STOMPERS TICKETS

Tickets and merchandise are available now either online or at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. Tickets will also be available at the box office on game days, beginning 30 minutes prior to the game.

For more information, please contact the front office at 707-938-7277, or email info@stompersbaseball.com.

 

Sonoma Stompers Sunk by Vallejo Admirals 4-1 in Low-Offense Affair

Brennan Metzger was the only Sonoma Stomper to record more than one hit in Tuesday night's 4-1 loss to the Vallejo Admirals. (James W. Toy III  / Sonoma Stompers)

Brennan Metzger was the only Sonoma Stomper to record more than one hit in Tuesday night's 4-1 loss to the Vallejo Admirals. (James W. Toy III  / Sonoma Stompers)

Hayley M. Slye / Sonoma Stompers

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, let Tuesday’s matchup with the Vallejo Admirals slip away as they fell 4-1.

The Admirals inch closer to the top of the Pacific Association standings, improving to 10-9 in the half as the Stompers drop to 12-7. The Admirals finished in the bottom of the Pacific Association first half, but have surged early as the only other team in the league over .500 in the second.

With the Stompers still looking for their first hit in the fifth, Brennan Metzger knocked a single through the hole in left. He got caught on the basepaths and the Stompers only managed two hits through seven off of Vallejo starter Marquis Hutchinson, the reigning Pacific Association Rookie of the Year.

With the hit, Metzger extended his hitting streak to ten games.

Derrick Fox was the only other Stomper to record a hit, sending a ball to the warning track in left before getting picked off on the basepaths as well. The low-offense night paired with three errors.

Eric Gonsalves made his second outing in 2017, returning to the Stompers as a member of the 2016 championship team. His last time out, he gave up a home run on his first pitch back. This time, Gonsalves pitched a clean, 11-pitch inning in the seventh before conjuring a strikeout to get out of a jam in the eighth.

The Stompers made noise in that frame as Marcus Bradley and Eddie Mora-Loera reached base on two consecutive walks. A pair of sacrifice hits moved them over twice, Bradley across the plate for the first Stompers run of the game.

Mike Jackson Jr. also pitched a solid inning in relief, blanking the Admirals in the ninth. In the bottom of the frame, the Stompers refused to go down easily. Down to their last out, Isaac Wenrich walked and Metzger knocked his second hit of the night, but a flyout ended the inning.

Overall, the Stompers drop to 40-18 while the Admirals improve to 22-36.

STOMPERS TICKETS
Tickets and merchandise are available now either online or at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. Tickets will also be available at the box office on game days, beginning 30 minutes prior to the game.

For more information, please contact the front office at 707-938-7277, or email info@stompersbaseball.com.

Sonoma Stompers Fall 7-6 Despite Solid Efforts From Thurber, Bradley as San Rafael Pacifics Walk Off

Starter Taylor Thurber struck out nine in seven and one-thirds innings pitched in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the San Rafael Pacifics at Albert Park. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Starter Taylor Thurber struck out nine in seven and one-thirds innings pitched in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the San Rafael Pacifics at Albert Park. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Hayley M. Slye / Director of Media Relations

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, lost 7-6 in the ninth to the San Rafael Pacifics on Sunday at Albert Park.

It was the third time in the series that the score became knotted in the ninth inning. The Stompers won the two extra-inning endeavors and take the series despite Sunday’s loss.

Starter Taylor Thurber was solid on the mound, retiring the side in order four times and beginning the game by sending seven straight Pacifics back to the dugout. In seven and one-thirds innings, Thurber struck out nine and issued zero walks.

Thurber's offense gave him a five-run lead to work with, thanks to a second-inning rally that featured four straight base hits off of San Rafael starter Dakota Freese.

Thurber's only blemishes came by way of the long ball. The Pacifics scored four runs on three pitches off of Thurber–Two solo home runs from Miles Williams and a two-run shot from Juan Herrera.

Jake Taylor also went yard in the eighth, finishing a wave of three home runs in the frame, making the score 6-5 and putting the Pacifics within crashing distance. Jacob Cox, a bullpen stalwart for most of the season, ended the inning on a groundout.

Marcus Bradley was the firestarter on offense Sunday, going 3-3 with a walk and two runs batted in and a walk. Derrick Fox also delivered an RBI and two hits as all but one Stomper reached base in the game.

The Stompers drop to 40-17 overall and sit at first place with a 12-6 second-half record, while the Pacifics improve to 24-33, 7-11 in the second half.

STOMPERS TICKETS
Tickets and merchandise are available now either online or at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. Tickets will also be available at the box office on game days, beginning 30 minutes prior to the game.

For more information, please contact the front office at 707-938-7277, or email info@stompersbaseball.com.

Stompers to Host Ila Borders Biographer Jean Ardell for "Making My Pitch" Book Signing Aug. 10

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, are pleased to welcome Ila Borders biographer Jean Ardell on Aug. 10.

Ardell will be signing copies of the book they wrote together, “Making My Pitch: A Woman’s Baseball Odyssey,” a biography of Borders. Borders became the first woman to play in a men’s professional baseball league since the 1950’s when the St. Paul Saints signed her in 1998.

The Stompers, in partnership with Virginia Dare Winery, have been advocates for the advancement of women in baseball. When the team signed Stacy Piagno and Kelsie Whitmore in 2016, the two joined Borders in the history books.

More recently, Piagno solidified her place in women’s baseball history by pitching seven strong innings to earn the win against the Pittsburg Diamonds on July 15. In doing so, Piagno became one of just three women to earn a win in a men’s professional baseball league since the 1950’s. One of those three women was Borders.

Ardell will be selling and signing books on the concourse and mingling with fans during the game.

The “Making My Pitch” book signing comes during a homestand that features several special events, including Vida Blue Night on Aug. 9, Japanese Heritage Night on Aug. 10 and First Responders Night on Aug. 11.

Tickets still available:

GENERAL ADMISSION | RESERVED SEATING


STOMPERS TICKETS
Tickets and merchandise are available now either online or at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. Tickets will also be available at the box office on game days, beginning 30 minutes prior to the game.

For more information, please contact the front office at 707-938-7277, or email info@stompersbaseball.com.

Tyler Garkow Twirls No-Hitter Into Seventh, Sonoma Stompers Pull Off 7-4 Victory Over San Rafael Pacifics in Extras

Starter Tyler Garkow threw six and two-thirds innings of no-hit ball in Thursday's 7-4 victory over the San Rafael Pacifics at Albert Park. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Starter Tyler Garkow threw six and two-thirds innings of no-hit ball in Thursday's 7-4 victory over the San Rafael Pacifics at Albert Park. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, came back to win 7-4 in extras on Saturday night as starter Tyler Garkow twirled a no-hitter against the San Rafael Pacifics through six and two thirds innings.

"That was actually the first time I've gone into the sixth inning perfect and seventh with a no-hitter," Garkow said. "Thought I could have done something special tonight, but you know what, I'm still getting better and this was just a product of a good work week."

Until first baseman Jake Taylor dropped a bloop single into right field for the Pacific’s first hit of the night, a single walk from Aaron Brill in the sixth was San Rafael’s only baserunner.

"We stuck to a game plan today. Garkow, he battled," said catcher Isaac Wenrich. "He didn't have his best stuff but the results spoke for themselves. He did an unbelievable job."

Despite Garkow’s dominance through most of the game, a hit and three errors in the bottom of the ninth allowed the Pacifics to tie the game at four. In extras, the Stompers rallied to take three-run lead on two hits and an error. 

The Stompers are now 9-1 on the season in extra inning games, also taking the victory in extras on Friday. In eight extra-inning games this season, the Pacifics have not recorded a win. 

Sharabi pitched a scoreless tenth frame, striking out the side to ensure the Stompers' victory. 

"(Sharabi) came through for us in a big way," Garkow said.

Garkow’s stunning outing was held up by timely hitting from the Stompers offense. Though Pacifics starter Max Beatty kept Sonoma to just two runs through six, the Stompers took advantage of opportunities with runners in scoring position. 

"Anytime they can give me any runs at any point and I haven't given up any, I know it's a good day," Garkow said.

Derrick Fox lead the offensive effort Saturday, going 3 for 4 and scoring two of the Stompers’ four runs. Scott David also contributed two runs batted in.

The Stompers solidify their lead at the top of the Pacific Association head back to San Rafael on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

STOMPERS TICKETS
Tickets and merchandise are available now either online or at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. Tickets will also be available at the box office on game days, beginning 30 minutes prior to the game.

For more information, please contact the front office at 707-938-7277, or email info@stompersbaseball.com.