Joel Carranza and Sonoma's offense was solid with 11 hits combined. Carranza finished 3 for 4 with three RBIs in the Stompers 5-1 win Saturday.
James Toy III/Sonoma Stompers
Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant
Sonoma had a long week coming into Saturday against the San Rafael Pacifcs. They hadn’t played their best over the last three games, and it led to three straight losses and San Rafael taking a two game lead in the Pacific Association. Sonoma needed a spark Saturday to get back in the win column. The team needed to refocus and find a way to bounce back. Sonoma didn’t do so by firing each other up, or working harder off the field. They came back stronger thanks in part to a little relaxation.
Sonoma did not take batting practice this afternoon, and spent much of the afternoon hanging out in the clubhouse. Sean Conroy has become known as the video game master and everyone wanted a shot at him.
After a long nine game road trip that wrapped up Thursday, and the media frenzy extravaganza Friday, the team probably needed just a little time to refocus. “The key for us tonight was just getting a little time to relax the body and mind before we went out there today. We had some fun in the clubhouse, and came out tonight loose and ready to go,” said third basemen Caleb Bryson.
The relaxation approach worked for Sonoma on the field as the Stompers took game two of the series at People’s Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field by a score of 5-1 over the Pacifcs.
Sonoma looked sharp at the plate with three players finishing with multiple hits in the lineup. Joel Carranza’s two-RBI single into left center field in the fourth inning capped a three run inning to give the Stompers a 4-0 lead. Sonoma never looked back. Carranza finished 3 for 4 with three RBIs in the game.
Pacifics Starter Patrick Conroy was outstanding in his first start against Sonoma on June 15 as he pitched seven shutout innings. But it was a different story Saturday as Sonoma’s offense racked up 11 hits and five total runs off Conroy on their way to a win. “Conroy does not vary the type of pitches he uses a lot, and we really tried to stay aggressive on the first pitch and it worked out well for us,” said Bryson.
Oliver Garcia and the bullpen turned in a great performance tonight as well. Garcia got credit the win for the success he had in his five innings of work. Garcia allowed only four hits and struck out four on his way to his second win of the season (2-0).
Juan Espinosa and Austin Delmotte were fantastic out of the pen in four innings combined. They allowed only one hit combined while shutting out the Pacifics offense. Espinosa’s effort in the sixth was the highlight as he came into the game with runners at the corners with nobody out. Espinosa pitched out of trouble beautifully and capped the inning off with a double play. Espinosa pitched three innings without allowing a hit. Delmotte pitched a clean ninth allowing only one hit to polish things off. Delmotte has not allowed an earned run in the last 10 innings that he has pitched.
Sonoma will have a unique day Sunday in a home and away doubleheader against the Pacifics. Game one will be at Albert Park Sunday morning at 11:30 a.m. On June 16, the Pacifics cancelled the game scheduled for that night due to a light malfunction. Sonoma will then return to People’s Home Equity Ballpark Sunday evening for the originally scheduled matchup at 5 p.m.
Tickets for upcoming Stompers games are available on stompersbaseball.com. Stompers Fan gear, and tickets are also available at The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street. For more information, contact the Stompers via email at info@stompersbaseball.com.