Joel Carranza hit a three-run home run in the first inning of Thursday night's 10-6 victory over the San Rafael Pacifics at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)
SONOMA, Calif.– Big swings from the team's veterans lead the way for the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, as it swept the San Rafael Pacifics for the first time this season with a 10-6 victory Thursday.
"On Monday, I had a meeting and just addressed to everybody what we need to do for this three-game series and they just made a huge adjustment. From the hitters to how they had to pitch, it was successful. I'm very happy," said manager Takashi Miyoshi.
Joel Carranza ignited the Stompers in the first inning with a three-run moonshot that went over the bleachers in left field. It was the 50th home run of his Pacific Association career.
"I've been struggling this series. I've just been trying to do too much, trying to put the team on my back," Carranza said. "That at bat, I tried to slow things down, go back to my approach and things worked out better."
The shot from the reigning Pacific Association MVP came off of reigning Pacific Association Pitcher of the Year Patrick Conroy. Conroy went six innings, allowing 6 earned runs and striking out three.
Yuki Yasuda hit a home run of his own in the fourth off of Conroy, sending the first pitch of the at bat sailing beyond the left-field fence to plate three runs.
"When Yuki hit the home run, he was kind of hesitating going for the first pitch. So I just told him in Japanese, 'this is go time, you have to swing first pitch,' and he hit the home run," Miyoshi said.
Carranza, Yasuda Matt Hibbert and Brennan Metzger all recorded two hits in the game.
"There's no selfish players on this team. We're all happy for whoever gets it done as long as it gets done. We just want to win. We have one thing in mind, and that's to win the Championship," Carranza said.
The Pacifics trailed by one in the fourth and two in the seventh. San Rafael managed to chip away at the Stompers' otherwise dominant arms, as starter Scott Plaza came into the game leading the league in wins and reliever DJ Sharabi had allowed just two runs in 13 innings pitched.
The Stompers ascend to 19-5 on the season and 7-4 against the Pacifics, gaining a game on the second-place Pittsburg Diamonds to put them five and a half games up in the standings. The Pacifics fall to 8-15 at third place.
MARTY LURIE NIGHT
KNBR 680 San Francisco Giants pregame and postgame host Marty Lurie was on hand during the game, signing autographs and connecting with fans around the ballpark. Donning his 2014 World Series Ring, Lurie delivered a ceremonial first pitch right on the mark.
STOMPERS ARE SONOMA
During the pregame ceremony, the Stompers also presented their community partner for last week's homestand, Sonoma Valley Babe Ruth Baseball, with a check for $1,365. Each homestand of 2017 will benefit a local cause.
On Wednesday night, Sotheby's International Realty donated $100 per Stompers run to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley. The Stompers scored ten runs. A portion of the proceeds from this homestand will also go directly to Sonoma Valley Boys and Girls Clubs.
UP NEXT AT PEOPLES HOME EQUITY BALLPARK
The Stompers will spend Fourth of July at home against the Diamonds and invite fans to join them at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark for Sonoma's famous fireworks show after the game.
Women in Sports Night is later in the homestand on July 7, and the Stompers want to hear from their fans. Use the hashtag #MYSTOMPERSSTORY to share what Sonoma baseball means to you or a woman you know. Your story could be featured on game night. The Stompers also look forward to celebrating players Stacy Piagno, Kelsie Whitmore and their groundbreaking place in baseball history.
STOMPERS TICKETS
Tickets and merchandise are available now either online or at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. Tickets will also be available at the box office on game days, beginning 30 minutes prior to the game.
For more information, please contact the front office at 707-938-7277, or email info@stompersbaseball.com.