Bryson Powers Stompers To 10-7 Win Over Admirals

Caleb Bryson went 3 for 3 with a home run, and 2 RBIs Sunday.

Rick Bolen/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant

Sonoma’s bats powered the Stompers to a 10-7 win, and series sweep over the Vallejo Admirals at People’s Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field Sunday. Sonoma’s offense scored 30 runs combined over the three game series. Slugger Caleb Bryson had a night to remember at the plate, and was involved in five of Sonoma’s ten runs. Starter Oliver Garcia also pitched well enough to earn his first win of the season. 

The Stompers (10-7) did a great job of getting off on the right foot early in games during this series and Sunday night was no exception. Sonoma’s offense put together a four run rally in the first. Mark Hurley came up big again with a two run double in the inning that went off the wall in right field. 

Vallejo’s offense kept things interesting in the seventh with a two run rally that cut the lead to 7-6.  However, Caleb Bryson had an answer as he launched a home run to left field to give Sonoma a two run lead. Bryson had one of his best nights at the plate this season as he finished a perfect 3 for 3 in the game. He also had 2 walks, 3 runs scored, and 2 RBIs. He reached base in all 5 of his plate appearances. He showed in this performance that he has all the tools to be a great hitter in the Pacific Association. Having the ability to hit the long ball is always a luxury, but what sets Bryson apart is his ability to be patient. 

Oliver Garcia had strikeout stuff again in his 5 2/3 innings of work and finished with 7 strikeouts. He allowed 10 hits, and three earned runs in the game and did enough to earn the victory (1-0). Juan Espinosa pitched in relief and earned a save by pitching the final 3 1/3 innings of the game. He allowed three earned runs on five hits with three strikeouts. 

Sonoma will now hit the road for a long nine game slate and will face all three teams in the Pacific Association. Sonoma will make their third trip of the season to Pittsburg to start the road trip off to face the Diamonds on Tuesday. They are an even 3-3 in games played against them so far. Gregory Paulino is scheduled to get the start Tuesday and has not faced Pittsburg yet this season. The Diamonds will be licking their wounds after getting swept by the San Rafael Pacifics over the weekend. 

Tickets for all Stompers home games are available on stompersbaseball.com. You may also purchase tickets, and team merchandise in The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street in Sonoma. If you have any questions contact us at info@stompersbaseball.com. 

Box Score

Offense Continues Success In 9-2 Win Over Admirals

Mark Hurley hit a 2 run home run in the game on Saturday in Sonoma's 9-2 victory.

Rick Bolen/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant

The Sonoma Stompers’ bats have answered the bell so far this weekend by putting together two great performances at the plate. Their balanced attack provided ample offense on their way to a 9-2 victory over the Vallejo Admirals on Saturday. Starter Jose Flores turned in his best effort of the season by far on his way to his first win of the season for Sonoma. He had struggled in his previous two starts but looked like a different pitcher on Saturday. 

The Stompers offense was rolling from the start as they jumped to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning. Two straight RBI doubles by Derrick Fox and Joel Carranza were the highlights of the inning. Mason Morioka also chipped in with an RBI single to put Sonoma in the driver's seat.

Vallejo (7-10) made things a little interesting in the fourth as Lydell Moseby launched a two run bomb to left center field that silenced the home crowd and cut the Stomper lead to 3-2. However, that was the only blemish on Flores’ fantastic outing and was untouchable for the rest of the night. 

Sonoma’s offense gave Flores some more breathing room in the fifth with a four run rally to put the game on ice. The highlight of the inning was a two run homer by left fielder Mark Hurley. It was Hurley’s first of the season. When the dust settled at the end of the inning Sonoma had a 7-2 lead. That would be plenty for Flores and ‘ fireman’ Taylor Thurber. 

Flores looked like a different pitcher from his first two outings of the season. In those starts, he struggled with command and left Sonoma’s bullpen in tough spots because of early departures. Tonight however, the big righty silenced any doubters by blowing away the Admiral lineup. Flores allowed only two runs on six hits with no walks while striking out nine batters in six innings. Thurber came in to start the seventh and went the rest of the way. Thurber has been a great weapon out of the pen and picked up his second save of the season by getting the final nine outs. 

Sonoma (9-7) has a chance to pick up their first series sweep with a win Sunday on Father’s Day at People’s Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. Sonoma is scheduled to give the ball to Oliver Garcia. Garcia has shown that he has some of the best strikeout stuff on the team when he is on. But Sonoma will look for him to go deeper into the ballgame this time out than he has in pervious outings. 

Tickets for Sunday’s game, and every home game this season are available on stompersbaseball.com. Tickets, and fan merchandise are also available for purchase at The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. If you have any questions contact us at info@stompersbaseball.com.

Box Score

Versatile Infielder Yuki Yasuda Back With Stompers For 2016

One of the best all-around players in the Pacific Association from 2015 returns to Sonoma as Yuki Yasuda signed with the Stompers on Saturday.

Bill Hoban/Sonoma Index-Tribune

Tim Livingston, Assistant GM, Baseball Ops. & Media

The Sonoma Stompers Baseball Club – Presented by Virginia Dare Winery – made another significant addition to their team on Saturday when the club signed 2015 Defensive Player of the Year Yuki Yasuda to a contract.

Yasuda, who turned 26 on Saturday, was a tremendous player for the Stompers in 2015 thanks to his ability to play all over the infield, taking over as the team’s primary second baseman a month into the season.

Once he was inserted as a regular with his first game as a starter on July 7, Yasuda was a force at the top of the Stompers lineup. He hit .307/.448/.367 and walked more times than he struck out (40 BB, 38 K) in 252 plate appearances.

By advanced stats, Yasuda had a Weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+) of 139 in 2015, making him the seventh best offensive player in the league who played in at least 30 games. He was tremendous on the basepaths as well, stealing 16 bases in 18 attempts.

The aforementioned Defensive Player of the Year award for his work at second base was well deserved, as he committed only two errors at the keystone and showed a consistent glove wherever he played on the infield.

In a corresponding move, the Stompers placed first baseman Daniel Baptista on the 7-day Inactive List retroactive to June 15. Yasuda is available to play in tonight’s game.

The Stompers host the Vallejo Admirals tonight at 5 p.m. at People’s Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. The Stompers handily defeated the Admirals Friday night during “Out At The Ballpark”, 11-1 behind a tremendous starting performance from Sean Conroy and four home runs.

Tickets are available for tonight’s game and every home game online at StompersBaseball.com. Fans can also purchase tickets beginning 30 minutes before any home game at the Arnold Field box office and at the Stompers Fan Shop at 234 West Napa Street in downtown Sonoma.

For more information on tickets, please call (707) 938-7277 or email the team at info@StompersBaseball.com.

Offense Backs Up Conroy In 11-1 Stompers Win Over Admirals

Sean Conroy pitched eight innings allowing only one run and three hits in Sonoma's 11-1 win Friday.

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant

The Sonoma Stompers’ (8-7) offense bounced back in a big way on Friday night and scored more than enough to back up a fabulous pitching performance from Sean Conroy in an 11-1 victory over the Admirals (7-9). Sonoma’s offense had struggled in the past two games scoring only two runs combined, but it was a different story Friday. 

After Sonoma went down quietly in the first, and had two outs in the second, the offense still seemed to be sputtering at the plate. But a walk to Ethan Szabo with two outs, and a single by Mason Morioka set Sonoma up for a little two out magic. Eddie Mora-Loera stepped up to the plate next and launched a line drive shot into the left field bleachers for a three run home run and Sonoma never looked back. It must have felt good for Mora-Loera as he hit into two double plays in Sonoma’s last game on Thursday but bounced back tonight to get Sonoma rolling. 

Mora-Loera’s homer was only the beginning for the offense as they put runs on the board in four straight innings from the second through the fifth. The power surge for the offense continued as their first eight runs came via the home run. Mason Morioka, Joel Carranza, and Caleb Bryson hit home runs in those frames. Bryson’s homer in the fourth was the highlight as he hit a moon shot to left that I think might still be going. 

For the second straight season Sean Conroy got the start on Pride Night, and like last year delivered with a gem to remember. Conroy made history last season becoming the first active professional baseball player to come out as being gay. He did not disappoint Friday and was dominant in his eight innings of work. Conroy allowed only one run on three hits with five strikeouts. Conroy’s slider was exceptional with its late movement and precise command.

 Conroy’s ability to pitch so well on Pride Night was something that goes far outside the lines of sport. He put an entire community on his shoulders tonight, and showed great character by pitching at his best in the situation. Conroy was humbled by the reception he received from the fans. “For our fans to come out and show their support for me tonight like they did last year was so rewarding and I felt blessed. They gave me the motivation I needed to perform well,” said Conroy.

Sonoma will look to keep the momentum as they continue the series against the Admirals Saturday night at People’s Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tickets for the game are still available at stompersbaseball.com. Tickets, and fan merchandise are also available at The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. If you have any questions, feel free to email us at info@stompersbaseball.com.

Box Score

Stompers Offense Unable To Break Through In 3-1 Loss To Pacifics

Mark Hurley finished 3 for 3 in Sonoma's 3-1 loss to the Pacifics Wednesday.

James Toy III/ Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant

The Sonoma Stompers (7-7) performance seemed like déjà vu on Wednesday night in a 3-1 loss to the San Rafael Pacifics (7-7). Sonoma’s bats were kept in check by another great pitching performance, this tine from starting pitcher Patrick Conroy (1-0), and the bullpen did the rest to close out the win. The offense for San Rafael didn’t put on a clinic, but one swing of the bat was the difference in the game. 

Conroy went seven innings strong allowing no earned runs on seven hits while striking out seven. One run came in with Conroy on the mound on an error by the shortstop Daniel Gonzalez. Mike Jackson Jr. was great for most of the game, but one mistake proved to loom large and he picked up the loss (2-1). J.R. Bunda also picked up his fourth save of the season. 

For the first three innings of the game, it looked like the folks at People’s Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field were in for a pitchers duel. Mike Jackson Jr. and Patrick Conroy were both cruising through the lineup and both offenses were kept off the board. But the game took a huge turn in the fourth.

A few bounces went the Pacifics' way in the fourth as they put two runners aboard to start the inning. Thanks to an error and an infield single, Brent Gillespie came to the plate with a chance to do some damage. In a 1-0 count, Mike Jackson Jr. made a mistake in location and Gillespie deposited his fourth homer of the season over the right field fence. San Rafael lead 3-0 after the homer by Gillespie. Sonoma was never able to recover from that backbreaking blow. 

Sonoma’s offense had opportunities to get back in the game, but did not come up with the clutch hits they needed and left men hanging on base. They also hit into two double plays tonight after a Stomper lead off an inning by getting on base. One silver lining for Sonoma’s offensive attack was Mark Hurley as he had one of his best nights offensively so far. He finished 3 for 3 in the game. This is a good sign as the 2015 Pacific Association Rookie of the Year had been searching for his swing in the early parts of the season. 

Sonoma will hit the road to close out the series against San Rafael looking to avoid a three game sweep. The Pacifics Association is in a very interesting place presently as all four teams have an identical record (7-7).  Sonoma will look to make sure they hold at least a share of first place with a win tomorrow night before returning home for the weekend to face the Vallejo Admirals. 

Friday night will be a very special night at People’s Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field as the Stompers host “Out at the Ballpark.” The event will help celebrate Pride Weekend in the Bay Area. Tickets for that game are available on stompersbaseball.com. You may also purchase tickets in The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at info@stompersbaseball.com.

Polanco Dominates In 4-1 Pacifics Win Over Stompers

Caleb Bryson hit his fourth home run of the season on Tuesday night.

James Toy III/ Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant

The Sonoma Stompers (7-6) went down quickly and quietly in a 4-1 loss to the San Rafael Pacifics (6-7) on Tuesday night at People’s Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. The game only took two hours and five minutes to complete and featured a sensational pitching performance from Celson Polanco for San Rafael. 

The Pacifics did not hit the cover off the ball in this game either, but got the big hits they needed to do enough for the victory. Polanco got credit for the win and improved to 1-2 while Gregory Paulino (1-1) got the loss. J.R. Bunda also got credit for a save for the Pacifics, his third of the year. 

The Dominican Republic native Polanco was fantastic and put together a performance that even the opposition had to respect. “Polanco did a great job of pitching at his tempo, pace, and location to keep our lineup off balanced,” said Stompers bench coach Chris Mathews. “When someone is able to put a performance together like that, sometimes you just have to tip your cap and not try to dwell on it.” 

Polanco went eight strong innings allowing six hits and two walks while striking out nine. Polonco did a great job of not allowing the Stompers to bunch hits together as Sonoma didn’t get a runner past second base till the eighth. The lone run of the game for Sonoma came on a Caleb Bryson solo blast to left in the bottom of the eighth. The Georgia native finished 2 for 3 with Sonoma's lone run driven in on the evening.

Gregory Paulino was effective at times but made a few costly mistakes to Pacifics batters. Paulino went 6 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out four. 

Maikel Jova did most of the damage for San Rafael and jumped on Paulino from the start. Jova had a two run single in the first inning to give the Pacifics a 2-0 lead. He also had a solo home run off Paulino in the seventh inning and finished the game 2 for 4 with three RBIs. Jova is a veteran of the Pacific Association, and made Paulino pay for the mistakes he made. The other run for the Pacifics came on a solo homer by Brent Gillespie in the second inning. 

Sonoma will look to bounce back in game two of their three game series with San Rafael with veteran right-hander Mike Jackson Jr. on the bump for Sonoma on Wednesday. Jackson Jr. has been effective so far this season, and has won both games he has started. He will look to recapture the magic he had in a 12-strikeout performance against the Diamonds on June 3.

It will be a special night at the yard on Wednesday with Giants legend J.T. Snow making an appearance at People’s Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. Tickets are still available on stompersbaseball.com. Snow will throw out the first pitch at the game and will be available to mingle with fans and sign autographs before and during the game. You can also purchase Stompers tickets and fan merchandise at The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the team at info@stompersbaseball.com.

Box Score

Outfielder Matt Hibbert Returns To Sonoma Stompers

Matt Hibbert is heading back to Sonoma for his third season with the team. The popular center fielder is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year winner in the Pacific Association.

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Theo Fightmaster, General Manager

In the first trade of the early season the Sonoma Stompers Baseball Club has acquired fan-favorite Matt Hibbert, of the Gary SouthShore Railcats of the American Association, in exchange for outfielder Matt Patrone.  

Hibbert was a late-season acquisition by the Railcats last August, and has been fantastic in his time with the Stompers. A .306 hitter with a .418 OBP (on-base percentage), Hibbert batted primarily leadoff, and scored 64 runs in 68 games last season in Sonoma. He stole 32 bases in 40 attempts, and was voted defensive player of the year for his sterling work in the outfield. The hard-nosed Hibbert also lead the team by getting plunked by 18 pitches – a franchise record.

“It’s bitter sweet when a player like Matt returns,” Stompers GM Theo Fightmaster said. “He’s been a first class player and person in his time in Sonoma. He’s going to make our team better, and hopefully prove that he can play at the next level.”

Hibbert, 27, is in his eighth season of pro baseball after playing at Long Beach State University. He’s a career .289 hitter, with a .401 lifetime OBP, and a .770 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage). Defensively, Hibbert has made only seven errors in 434 chances in his pro career, en route to multiple defensive honors in the Pacific Association.

The Stompers open a home stretch June 14, where they play 5 of 6 at People’s Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field in Sonoma. The first-place Stompers (7-5) host the San Rafael Pacifics (5-7) Tuesday and Wednesday, then welcome back the Vallejo Admirals (6-6) for a weekend series beginning Friday at 6 p.m. Weekday home games begin at 6 p.m., and first pitch is 5 p.m. on weekends.

Full Season tickets, mini-plans and partial season tickets are on sale on our website, www.stompersbaseball.com, or at the Stompers Fan Shop, located at 234 West Napa Street in Sonoma. Group events and Group Tickets are also available now. Please email jack@stompersbaseball.com, or call 707.938.7277 for questions and more information. 

Stompers Play Five Of Next Six At Home

Former San Francisco Giants great J.T. Snow will make an appearance on Wednesday to meet with fans and sign autographs.

Photo provided by J.T. Snow

Tim Livingston, Assistant GM of Baseball Operations & Media

The Sonoma Stompers Baseball Club – presented by Virginia Dare Winery – are returning home to Sonoma this week for five out of the next six games at People’s Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field with a trio of standout promotional events.

During the team’s first series of the week against the defending Pacific Association champion San Rafael Pacifics, the Stompers will welcome one of the most popular players in San Francisco Giants history to the ballpark.

J.T. Snow, the six-time Gold Glove winner, will visit with fans before Wednesday night’s game on June 15 and throw out the game’s ceremonial first pitch that night. Fans can bring items to be autographed by Snow before the game begins, with the first pitch that night at 6 p.m.

During Sonoma’s weekend series with the Vallejo Admirals, the Stompers will host two promotions, with the first an encore of one of the most historic nights in team history from June of last year.

With Northern California’s Pride Weekend celebrations beginning this upcoming weekend, the Stompers will host “Out At The Ballpark” on Friday, June 17, the team’s second annual LGBTQ Pride night.

The inaugural 2015 event saw Sean Conroy, pro baseball’s first ever active, openly gay player, pitch a three-hit shutout against the Admirals that got international attention. Memorabilia from that game resides at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.

Conroy is that night’s scheduled starter, and he’ll look to have an encore of his historic performance nearly one year to the day of that fateful night at Arnold Field. First pitch of Sonoma’s series opener with Vallejo is set for 6 p.m.

With Father’s Day on Sunday, June 19, the Stompers will host a Father’s Day Celebration at the ballpark with themed events and promotions for fathers to enjoy with their children. With a 5 p.m. start time, it is set up to be a fantastic evening to celebrate with Dad.

The Stompers are 7-5 right now, and in first place in the Pacific Association standings. Sonoma is one game ahead of the Admirals and the Pittsburg Diamonds, who are both at 6-6. San Rafael is two games back at 5-7.

Tickets are available online at StompersBaseball.com right now, both in the grandstands behind home plate and in the Werowocomoco Club, the upscale seating area down the third base line presented by Virginia Dare Winery. Fans can also buy tickets beginning 30 minutes before any home game.

For more information on tickets and upcoming events, contact the team by calling (707) 938-7277 or email the Stompers at info@StompersBaseball.com. The Stompers Fan Shop is located at 234 West Napa Street in downtown Sonoma, offering the latest in Stompers merchandise and tickets for any home game.

Diamonds Take Series In Walk-Off Win, 9-8

Joel Carranza went 3 for 5 with two home runs and four RBIs on Sunday.

James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant

The Pittsburg Diamonds (6-6) were able to come up big in the clutch and stole one in the final inning in a 9-8 win over the Stompers (7-5).  Sonoma’s offense was great throughout, but the bullpen was unable to hold the lead and the Stompers dropped their first series of 2016. Eric Mozeika picked up the loss for Sonoma, and Jeff Lyons got a win for Pittsburg. 

Sonoma was on the board right away thanks to a two run homer by Joel Carranza in the top of the first. Carranza had a huge day at the plate and finished 3-for-5 with 2 home runs, and 4 RBIs. The Stompers as a team finished with 13 hits combined. Five different Stompers finished with multiple hits in the game. Derrick Fox was the other leading RBI man as he finished 2 for 4 with two doubles and two RBIs. However, the Diamonds were able to battle offensively and came up huge when it mattered the most.

Starting pitcher Oliver Garcia was at times very effective on his way to a six-strikeout performance. But he was only able to pitch five innings, and that put a lot of pressure on a bullpen that had been used a lot in recent days. That proved to be the deciding factor in the game as Sonoma’s bullpen fell apart down the stretch. Six of the Diamonds nine runs scored came during the final three innings. 

A two run home run by Joel Carranza put the Stompers out in front 8-6 in the top of the ninth inning and it looked like the Stompers would be able to hold on for the victory. But in the bottom half, the Diamonds put together a rally that resulted in a win for Pittsburg. 

The Diamonds were able to load the bases in the bottom of the ninth thanks in part to two walks by Eric Mozeika, and the Diamonds were set up for a big inning. The Diamonds got the big hit they were looking for from Jordan Hinshaw as he smacked one into the left center field gap to clear the bases to win the game for Pittsburg. 

Sonoma will now head home, and will face the 2015 league champion San Rafael Pacifics (5-7) for the first time this season. The Pacifics have gotten off to a bit of a slow start in 2016, but have the pieces to put together another run at the championship. Slugger Jake Taylor will be the biggest threat to Stompers pitchers as he leads the Pacific Association in home runs (5), and RBIs (15). 

Tickets for all Stompers home games are available on stompersbaseball.com. Wednesday June 15 will be a big day at People’s Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field, as the Stompers will host Giants great J.T. Snow. Snow will be available to mingle with fans and sign autographs at the game. He will also throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Tickets for that game are still available. You may also purchase tickets, and fan merchandise at The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street in Sonoma. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the team at info@stompersbaseball.com.

Stompers Win Wild Offensive Battle Over Diamonds, 9-7

Mason Morioka finished the game 2 for 5 with his first home run of the season for the Stompers.

Geoff Safford/Sonoma Stompers

Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant

The Sonoma Stompers (7-4) won an absolute thriller on Saturday night over the Pittsburg Diamonds (5-6) by a score of 9-7. The game featured 27 hits combined from both teams, and the lead changed hands three times in the game. Juan Espinosa (2-0) got the win out of the bullpen, and Garret Granitz (0-1) took the loss.

The Stompers got on the board in the third inning thanks to a two out rally put together by Derrick Fox and Sam DiMatteo. With two outs and runners at the corners, Fox took off for second and drew a throw, which allowed DiMatteo to race home for his team's first run. The Stompers added another run in the fourth thanks to a Mason Morioka RBI single to give Sonoma a 2-1 lead. Then things really started to get wacky from the fifth to the seventh.

Pittsburg battled back in the fifth and sixth innings and seemed to have control of the game. They chased Sean Conroy in the fifth thanks to a Mike Taylor two-run homer which gave the Diamonds the lead. Taylor Thurber replaced Conroy, and while Thurber had been one of the most effective pitchers for Sonoma out of the bullpen this season, he ran into trouble in the sixth.

The Diamonds put three runs on the board in the sixth off Thurber as they smacked the ball all over the ballpark. Thomas Shull hit a home run to right to get the inning started and that was followed up with RBI singles by Sammy Ayala and Rich Mejia to give Pittsburg a 6-3 lead. Thurber allowed a season high four runs in only 1 2/3 innings. However, the Stompers were able to battle back in a big way.

In the very next half inning, Sonoma put together a four run rally that had a little bit of everything. The inning began with a walk to DiMatteo, and after a single by Derrick Fox, the Stompers were off to the races. Both runners came in to score on an RBI base hit by Caleb Bryson, cutting the deficit to 6-5. After Daniel Baptista reached on a walk, Ethan Szabo reached on an infield single to second the brought home Bryson, and with there being two outs, Baptista raced all the way around from second to score the go-ahead run with some great instinct on the base paths to give Sonoma the lead back at 7-6.

The Diamonds would not go down without a fight though as they tied the game in the bottom half of the seventh on an RBI double by David Kiriakos to knot the game at 7.

Sonoma’s offense did have one final bullet left in the chamber in the eighth, and used it to score twice more to put the game away for good. Daniel Baptista got credit for an RBI on a fielder’s choice to score Eddie Mora-Loera, and the Stompers added another run on an error as DiMatteo scored to make it 9-7.

On a night where the Stompers struggled to find success on the mound for most of the game, Juan Espinosa pitched sensationally in crunch time. Espinosa threw 2 2/3 scoreless and struck out four to lead Sonoma to a win. Espinosa’s slider was filthy, and frustrated the Diamonds lineup that enjoyed great success up to that point.

Sonoma can go for their fourth straight series win in the rubber match on Sunday afternoon. Oliver Garcia will make his third start for the Stompers and will face the Diamonds for the first time this season. Garcia at times has been a strikeout machine, and will look to give Sonoma a chance to take the series on the road. First pitch is scheduled for noon tomorrow at City Park Field in Pittsburg. Listen to the action live on stompersbaseball.com and the TuneIn app.

Tickets for upcoming Stompers home games are available on stompersbaseball.com. You may also purchase tickets, and fan merchandise at The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street in Sonoma. For more information, please email us at info@stompersbaseball.com.

Box Score