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.