OFFENSE EXPLODES IN VALLEJO BEHIND STRONG MATHEWS START

(James W. Toy III/Sonoma Stompers)

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VALLEJO, Calif. – Making his first start for the Sonoma Stompers, Kenny Mathews continued a trend of strong starting pitching for Sonoma, picking up his second win of the year as the Stompers topped the Vallejo Admirals 11-5.

Mathews pitched six strong innings, allowing just one run on two hits and one walk. The left-hander struck out eight and retired the final 10 Admirals hitters he faced.

“Mitch [Ho] caught a great game,” Mathews said. “When you and the catcher are on the same page, it makes it a lot easier to maneuver a lineup. We were getting ahead, we had real good fastball command today and worked the inner part of the zone real well. And we were putting away hitters when we had the chance to, so it was a good effort by everyone.

It took a few innings for the Stomper offense to pick up, but Kevin Farley started the scoring with an RBI single in the fourth inning.

Once the game entered the fifth, Sonoma took over and didn’t look back, with four hits plating three runs for a lead. Daniel Comstock brought home one run on a double and Kenny Meimerstorf plated two on a single.

Saturday’s contest unraveled in the seventh innings with the two teams scoring 11 runs combined over the seventh and eighth.

Miles Williams, Comstock and Meimerstorf connected for back-to-back-to-back home runs in inning seven, forcing Vallejo’s starter out of the game. Farley added another round-tripper a few batters later, his fourth of the season and the team’s fourth of the inning and game, tying a single-game record for team home runs in 2018.

Three more hits gave the Stompers three additional runs in the eighth inning and 15 hits in the game, tying their single-game record for hits this season.

Seven Sonoma hitters had a hit in Vallejo, with five collecting two. Williams became the first Stomper to record more than three in one game, as he had four.

“I’m keeping it as simple as possible,” Williams said. “It’s contagious when your teammates are doing well and I’m just seeing a lot of pitches.”

Comstock had three hits and Meimerstorf, Kam Stewart and Farley each connected for two.

The two teams will see each other again at Wilson Park Sunday afternoon, with a 1:05 p.m first pitch.

SHARP DOMINATES ONCE MORE AS STEWART AIDS IN WIN

(James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

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SONOMA, Calif. – After a debut to remember for Tyler Sharp last weekend against the Clippers, the right-hander pitched another outstanding game for the  Sonoma Stompers Friday night as the Stompers split their series with the Pittsburg Diamonds.

Sharp delivered another eight-inning start, striking out five with no walks allowed. He also allowed just one run on four hits, all of which game in the first three innings.

Sharp retired the final 16 batters he faced and 21 of his last 23, throwing five consecutive 1-2-3 innings to end the outing.

“Slowly, but surely everything started working for me,” Sharp said. “Once my command was on, it was over from there. Definitely a good outing.”

He received both defensive and offensive support from Kam Stewart, who connected for a two-home home run and fielded 10 ground balls for outs over the eight innings Sharp pitched.

After the Stompers scored two in the third inning on a Rob DeAngelis double to take a 2-1 lead over Pittsburg, Stewart launched his seventh round-tripper of the season to left field with two outs, scoring Daniel Comstock and giving Sonoma a 4-1 lead.

His homer came after making all three defensive outs in the top half of the inning, including a play for the second out that was reminiscent of the jump throw Derek Jeter was well-known for as a Yankee.

Stewart also recorded the first two outs of the seventh inning, making it five consecutive grounders and outs.

“With Tyler getting me all those ground balls, all I can do is have his back and get the job done for him,” Stewart said. “

Jacob Cox took over in the ninth inning and shut the door, locking down his 15th save of the year with a 1-2-3 inning. He now sits just three saves away from tying Sammy Gervacio’s single-season Pacific Association record of 18 saves, which he set last season with the Vallejo Admirals.

The Stompers embark on a six-game road trip beginning Saturday with two games in Vallejo before an off day Monday and trips to Martinez and Napa.

STOMPERS PITCHER TOPOOZIAN PROMOTED TO AMERICAN ASSOCIATION

SONOMA, Calif. – The Sonoma Stompers are excited to announce that right-handed pitcher Dominic Topoozian has been promoted to the American Association’s Sioux City Explorers and will join his new team immediately.

Topoozian advances to a higher level of independent baseball after making his ninth start of the season Sunday and earning his sixth win in 2018.

“We're extremely proud of Dominic, and we can't wait to see him in action for the Explorers in the American Association,” general manager Brett Creamer said. “His development and  progression since last season has been phenomenal. Sioux City is not only getting a robust pitcher, but they are getting quality person as well.”

Topoozian pitched 56 innings for the Stompers in 2018 with a perfect 6-0 record and league-leading 2.89 ERA.

“I’m going to miss my time here,” Topoozian said. “Our team, they fight every single day. We’ve got some great players on this squad and I’m excited to see what they accomplish.”

The Fresno native walked just 10 batters this season, compared to the 54 he struck out, the second-best strikeout-to-walk ratio in the Pacific Association through the league’s first 43 games.

WIN STREAK ENDS WITH 15-HIT LOSS TO PITTSBURG

(James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

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SONOMA, Calif. – Winners of 10 of their last 12, the Sonoma Stompers bats burst out once again, but their 15 hits only resulted in six runs and they fell to the Pittsburg Diamonds 9-6, snapping the team’s five-game losing streak.

Pittsburg led from the first inning and didn’t give up the lead all night long, adding on four runs of insurance in the ninth that proved to be critical to the Diamonds’ win.

Ethan Gibbons delivered six-inning start, striking out five and allowing just two earned runs. However, the righty walked four and allowed nine hits while taking his first loss as a Stomper.

The bullpen struggled to keep the game close, with four pitchers combining to allow six runs and six walks.

Sonoma scratched across a run in the sixth when Miles Williams led off the inning with a solo shot and added two in the seventh with a two-run homer from Mitchell Ho.

Pittsburg countered with a run after each of those half innings and held a 5-3 lead headed to the ninth.

After the Diamonds’ four-run ninth, Sonoma scratched across four hits, all singles, to bring in three runs and pull the game within two. Despite bringing the tying run on deck, the Stompers could not pull out the victory, falling for the 16th time this season.

The Stompers’ 15 hits tied their single-game team record in 2018, with Williams, Marcus Bradley, Daniel Baptista and Kevin Farley each recording a two-hit performance.

Pittsburg and Sonoma rematch Friday evening as the Stompers wrap up a four-game homestand. Tyler Sharp will make his second start for the Stompers as he tries to follow up his 8.2 inning outing last weekend.

ESPINOSA PICKS UP FIRST WIN BEHIND WILLIAMS’ BIRTHDAY HOMER

(James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif. – The red-hot Sonoma Stompers once again didn’t let deficits put them down, as they came back from twice to top the Vallejo Admirals 7-5 and help Juan Espinosa pick up his first win of the season.

Making his eighth start of 2018, Espinosa pitched six strong innings, allowing three earned runs on one walk and six strikeouts.

He pitched with a lead almost immediately after Marcus Bradley scored on a wild pitch in the first inning.

Despite Vallejo taking the lead in the top of the fifth, Sonoma countered quickly in the bottom of the frame with two runs to even the score at three. Celebrating his 26th birthday, Miles Williams crushed his team-leading 14th home run of the season to right field, scoring Rayson Romero, who turned 23 Wednesday.

“I’m seeing good pitches, trying to touch the baseball,” Williams said. “It’s contagious when your teammates are constantly taking great AB’s, it helps you with your hitting plan too."

Romero did not record an official at-bat in the game, instead drawing three walks and bringing in a run on a sacrifice fly in the eighth.

“Early on in the game, I was up with nobody on, so I was trying to get my pitch that I could drive,” Romero said. “If it was out of the zone, I was trying to get on base. Later in the game, Kevin [Farley] hit that double, runners on second and third and the first pitch, I could get the job done with it.”

After the birthday boys brought the score back even, the Admirals took another lead in the sixth, a lead the Stompers just as quickly countered, with Kam Stewart driving in Daniel Comstock, then scoring on a wild pitch to put the Stompers ahead again in the bottom half.

Two more insurance runs in the eighth proved helpful as Vallejo scored a run in the ninth that otherwise would have tied the game. Instead, Jacob Cox locked down his 14th save of thee season and the Stompers held on to win 7-5.

With two consecutive sweeps under their belt, Sonoma looks to make it three in a row and increase its five-game win streak with the Pittsburg Diamonds coming to Sonoma Thursday and Friday.

THREE HOME RUNS BACK 10 PATEL K’S AS STOMPERS WIN FOUR IN A ROW

Kevin Farley (13) celebrates with Kenny Meimerstorf (12) after hitting his third home run of the season, a three-run home run in the fourth inning in the Sonoma Stompers game against the Vallejo Admirals, Tuesday, July 17, 2018.  (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif. – The Sonoma Stompers rolled right through their off day Monday into Tuesday night against the Vallejo Admirals, crushing three home runs to top the defending league champions 9-7.

With former Oakland Athletics outfielder Eric Byrnes in attendance, Sonoma center fielder Marcus Bradley made a catch reminiscent of many of those Byrnes made with the A’s, going into a leaping dive in left-center field to record an out in the second inning.

The highlight-reel play was an omen of good things to come for the Stompers in all facets of the game.

Neither team recorded a hit in the first three innings, with Sonoma’s Vijay Patel recording five strikeouts and retiring his first 10 batters working into the fourth.

Patel encountered struggles after loading the bases and giving up a grand slam that gave Vallejo a lead, but settled down to retire his next seven batters and eight of following nine.

“I had control of my fastball on both sides of the plate, that was really helpful,” Patel said. “I also had my slider working, so that was helpful to have a little bit of lateral movement. And great defense behind me, great bats behind me too.”

The right-hander pitched into the seventh, striking out 10 Admirals with just three hits allowed over 6.2 innings. Seven of those strikeouts came on the first batter of each of his first seven innings.

“I was really focusing on getting ahead,” he said. “These guys can swing it, so it brings a level of intensity, a level of play. You have to bring your best otherwise these guys are going to bang out.”

Picking up his fifth win of the season, Patel was aided by an offense that helped him recover well from the fourth inning grand slam. The Stompers scored eight runs between the fourth and fifth innings on three home runs and a double.

Miles Williams connected for his 13th long ball of the season in the fourth, a solo shot that led off the frame. Rob DeAngelis and Daniel Comstock doubled back-to-back to bring in another run, then after Kenny Meimerstorf walked, Kevin Farley hit his third home run of the season, giving Sonoma 5-4 advantage.

Kam Stewart launched his sixth homer of the season to left field in the fifth inning, a three run shot that furthered Sonoma’s lead and put the game firmly out of reach for Vallejo.

Kenny Matthews and Jacob Cox combined for 2.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen as Sonoma held on in the ninth to win 9-7 and Cox picked up his 13th save of the year, more than double the number of the next closest pitcher in the Pacific Association.

The Stompers look for a series sweep and their fifth straight win Wednesday against the Admirals, first pitch at 6:05 p.m.

OFFENSE SUPPORTS TOPOOZIAN FOR SWEEP OF CLIPPERS

Rob DeAngelis swings during the Sonoma Stompers game July 15, 2018 in Martinez, Calif. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

MARTINEZ, Calif. – After a lights-out performance from Tyler Sharp Saturday night, the Sonoma Stompers continued to roll Sunday afternoon, topping the Martinez Clippers 6-5 for a series sweep and the team’s third straight victory.

Winners of eight of their last ten, the Stompers tasked Dominic Topoozian with his ninth start of 2018 and like he has all season, Topoozian produced an impressive outing.

The Fresno, California native pitched seven innings, allowing just one run on six hits with one walk and three strikeouts.

“It’s what I’ve been doing all year, getting ahead and throwing with conviction every pitch,” he said. “You still have to compete though. [The Martinez Clippers] have gotten better since I pitched against them Opening Day. They were tough to strike out today, putting the bat on the ball.”

He left runners on base in each of the first four innings, then produced back-to-back 1-2-3 innings to keep his team ahead all afternoon.

Eddie Mora-Loera and Rob DeAngelis were responsible for all six of Sonoma’s runs with Mora-Loera being one of three Stompers with two-hits in the game. Marcus Bradley and Daniel Comstock each had a pair of singles in the game as well.

For Comstock, it was his 20th multi-hit game of the season.

Mora-Loera drove in runs in the second and fourth with doubles and DeAngelis brought home teammates in the fifth and seventh innings. Both Rayson Romero and Bradley scored on a sacrifice fly in the fifth and DeAngelis’ two-out RBI single in the seventh proved to be the difference in the 6-5 game.

Martinez scored four runs in the final two innings to bring the game within one, but Jacob Cox locked down his 12th save of the season in the ninth to hold on for the win.

With the season exactly halfway over, the Stompers will enjoy an off day Monday before a four-game homestand begins Tuesday with the Vallejo Admirals coming to town for two games, followed by the Pittsburg Diamonds. All four games will begin at 6:05 p.m.

Former Oakland Athletic Eric Byrnes will be on hand Tuesday to promote his "Let Them Play Foundation" before he begins a cross-country triathlon.

SHARP STYMIES CLIPPERS FOR FIRST WIN AS STOMPER

Tyler Sharp pitches in the Sonoma Stompers’ game against the Martinez Clippers, July 14, 2018 in Martinez, Calif. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

MARTINEZ, Calif. – In his first outing with the Sonoma Stompers, Tyler Sharp dazzled for eight innings Saturday, pitching into the ninth and picking up his first win in the orange and navy with thee 7-2 victory for Sonoma.

Sharp, released by the Napa Silverados July 3, was signed by the Stompers Saturday morning. Through the first eight innings, the right-hander allowed just one hit while striking out seven, bringing just one Clipper hitter to a three-ball count all game long.

The newester Stomper took a one-hit shutout into the ninth, recording his eighth strikeout of the game for the first out but a pair of singles and errors ended the shutout bid after 8.1 innings.

“Everything worked well today. Curveball, fastball, command was there, changeup command was there,” Sharp said. “I like where we’re going to go and see what the future holds.”

Sonoma scored seven runs over the first eight innings, with the entire lineup contributing. Seven different Stompers recorded hits, with Daniel Comstock and Kevin Farley each getting two.

Kenny Meimerstorf and Kam Stewart began the scoring efforts in the second inning with back-to-back home runs to lead off the inning, their 13th and fifth of the season respectively.

Comstock singled in Rob DeAngelis in the third, then a wild pitch and RBI single from Farley plated two more in the sixth.

The Stompers added a couple of insurance runs in the eighth on four Martinez errors, but the offense was more than enough support.

Brandon Erickson recorded the final out of the game after Sharp was hit by a comebacker with two outs, sealing the Stompers’ 24th win of 2018.

Sonoma and Martinez battle again Sunday, with the second game of the weekend series at 1 p.m.

GIBBONS START AND WILLIAMS OFFENSE SEND STOMPERS TO VICTORY

Miles Williams circles the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning of the Sonoma Stompers game against the San Rafael Pacifics, July 13, 2018. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

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SONOMA, Calif. – Losers of two in a row, the Sonoma Stompers came out strong against the San Rafael Pacifics Friday night, scoring in the first inning and holding the lead all game long to get back on the right track and win 7-5.

Miles Williams’ offensive tear from the second spot in the batting order proved to be no fluke and he connected for his sixth home run of the week in that position, his 12th of the season in the first inning to put Sonoma up 2-0 with no outs.

Two-out singles from Kenny Meimerstorf and Marcus Bradley added runs in the second and third. Williams drove in two more on a two-out single in the fifth, adding insurance for the Stompers and giving them seven runs in the game.

“I’ve been seeing the ball pretty well, even on the swings that I’m missing,” Williams said. “I’m just trying to keep it as simple as possible.”

Seven runs was enough for the pitching staff, who limited San Rafael to five runs over the night.

Ethan Gibbons delivered yet another quality outing, his fifth in eight starts of seven innings, he struck out six and walked just one Pacific batter.

“The offense an early lead for me and never looked back, that’s key,” Gibbons said. “You can just go out there and do your thing.”

Cole Watts and Jacob Cox finished off the game, with Cox earning his league-leading 11th save of the year.

The Stompers travel to Martinez for a two-game series against the Martinez Clippers before returning to Sonoma for a four-game homestand next week.

STOMPERS FORCE EXTRAS BUT FALL TO PACIFICS 7-5

Kenny Meimerstorf awaits his at-bat in the ninth inning of the Sonoma Stompers game with the San Rafael Pacifics, July 12, 2018. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

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SONOMA, Calif. –  While they were 4-1 in extra inning games in 2018 entering Thursday, the Sonoma Stompers were unable to walk off Thursday, falling to the San Rafael Pacifics 7-5 in 10 innings.

Once again, Sonoma began the scoring and just like Wednesday, jumped out to a 3-1 lead after five. Kenny Meimerstorf’s sacrifice fly in the first brought in Rob DeAngelis, Kevin Farley connected for a solo home run in the second and DeAngelis singled in Farley in the fourth, but the offense went dormant for the next several innings.

Also in similar fashion to the night before, starter Juan Espinosa cruised through the first five innings before San Rafael’s potent offense took control in the sixth, scoring three runs to take a 4-3 lead.

2.1 innings of scoreless relief from Kenny Mathews bridged the gap to the ninth inning, when after a Ryan Richardson shutdown frame, Kam Stewart’s two-out single scored Daniel Comstock to tie the game at four and force extra innings.

After being quieted by Mathews and Richardson, the Pacifics offense came to life in the 10th, as a bases-loaded double plated three and put the game out of reach for Sonoma.

The Stompers scored one but couldn’t add more to the plate as the fell for the second night in a row.

Sonoma looks to bounce back  Friday against the Pacifics as they host their rivals once more, a 6:05 p.m. first pitch scheduled for Women in Sports Night. Female athletes who come in their uniforms/gear from their youth, travel or school team get a free general admission ticket or $10 off another section.