Yuki Yasuda had one of his best nights at the plate this season in the Stompers 6-4 win Wednesday over the Diamonds. Yasuda was 3 for 4 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored.
James Toy III/ Sonoma Stompers
Geoff Safford, Media Relations Assistant
Taylor Thurber has one of the most interesting routines when pitching on the mound that you will ever see. He is always moving around on the mound. Moving his hat, the rosin bag, anything he can find. Thurber hides the ball very well, and uses deception even better. Thurber had been used out of the bullpen exclusively until Thursday when he made his first start for the Stompers against the Diamonds at City Park Field. He did not disappoint.
Sonoma was able to provide some help offensively, as the biggest inning of the game was a four-run fourth inning that put Sonoma in the lead for good, 6-2 on their way to a 6-4 victory. Yuki Yasuda hit his second ‘Yuki Bomb’ of the season over the left field wall to put an exclamation point on the inning off Chris Cummins. That homer proved to be the difference in the game as Yasuda finished the game 3 for 4 with two runs scored and three RBIs.
Caleb Bryson had another impressive day at the plate as well going 1 for 2 with a double and two walks. Bryson has made some great adjustments at the plate by staying more patient, and has been able to work more counts in his favor. His double in the fourth was hit to one of the deepest parts of the ballpark in left center and went off the wall.
Juan Espinosa was sensational once again coming out of the bullpen in his 2 1/3 innings for Sonoma. Espinosa entered for Taylor Thurber in the seventh to get the final out and took Sonoma to the finish line to earn his second save of the season. Espinosa allowed only two hits and struck out three in his work out of the pen.
Thurber allowed four runs on eight hits for Sonoma in his 6 2/3 innings while striking out five. Two runs scored in the seventh off Thurber when a ball hit by Andrew Rubalcava hit off of Mark Hurley’s glove in left for a double.
Sonoma will be in an interesting position Thursday as they will have an off day. The normal off day is Monday in the Pacific Association, but this day off will give the Stompers some much needed rest after playing nine straight days. Sonoma will be back in action Friday to begin a three game series at home facing the Vallejo Admirals. Sonoma has enjoyed great success against Vallejo this season as they have won every series they have played against them. Sonoma swept the Admirals the last time they visited People’s Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field.
The Stompers (18-14) remained tied for first place in the Pacific Association with the Pacifics as San Rafael bounced back with a 7-4 win against the Admirals in Vallejo. San Rafael will play one more game in Vallejo Thursday before heading to Pittsburg to face the Diamonds over the weekend.
Sonoma and Pittsburg will resume the opener of this past series that was suspended due to the fireworks display on July 12 in Sonoma. The game will resume in a 3-3 tie going into the top of the tenth inning. Sonoma has guaranteed a series win with two wins in Pittsburg and can complete a series sweep with a win in that game.
Tickets for upcoming Stompers home games can be purchased at stompersbaseball.com. Fan merchandise, and tickets are also available inside The Fan Shop located at 234 West Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. For more information contact the Stompers at info@stompersbaseball.com.