Isaac Wenrich scores the second run in Thursday's 9-5 victory over the San Rafael Pacifics at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)
Hayley M. Slye / Media Relations Director
SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, defeated the San Rafael Pacifics 9-5 Thursday behind another dazzling effort by starter Juan Espinosa and an unrelenting offense.
The Stompers improve to 20 games over .500 at 31-11 on the season, 3-0 in the second half while the Pacifics drop to 15-24, 0-3.
“I’m really happy that everybody on this team is really hungry. They are not satisfied, even when we win the first half like that. They are ready to win the second half, too,” Miyoshi said. “They just don’t want to lose a game.”
Espinosa struck out seven through the first three innings, tying a season-high nine strikeouts in six.
“But if you throw locate breaking balls, cutters around the knees, they’re not going to get to it. Especially an outside pitch, I don’t think too many guys can get to it,” Miyoshi said. “(Espinosa) was going for the hitter’s weakness and it really worked out well.”
Six Stompers had multi-hit nights on Thursday while Matt LoCoco, Joel Carranza and Marcus Bradley all drove in two runs. Eight Stompers recorded RBIs. Bradley also went 2 for 2 with two walks on the night.
Bradley has been solid as of late, hitting .333 in the last week with an on base percentage of .524.
“Seeing him in BP, I could tell (Bradley) was going to hit the ball,” Miyoshi said.
Pacifics starter Dakota Freese has struggled at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark this season. His last time on the mound in Sonoma, Freese walked seven batters in just two and two-thirds innings.
This time, Freese racked up seven earned runs in four innings, allowing Sonoma to go up 7-0 while Espinosa kept San Rafael scoreless through five.
“We know what kind of pitcher he is,” Miyoshi said. “His out pitch is a fastball, he can get up to 93, 94, but he’s wild. So against us it’s tougher because we have a team that always has an approach.”
STOMPERS TICKETS
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For more information, please contact the front office at 707-938-7277, or email info@stompersbaseball.com.