Joel Carranza went 2 for 4 with three RBIs in Tuesday's 8-3 trouncing of the San Rafael Pacifics at Albert Park. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)
SAN RAFAEL, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, broke a franchise record for wins to start a half with Tuesday’s 8-3 victory over the San Rafael Pacifics at Albert Park.
“Honestly, it's just been holding to the same approach of our first half,” said catcher Isaac Wenrich. “We're a family here and we pull for each other.”
The Stompers improve to 7-0 in the second half and have won nine in a row overall, surpassing the previous franchise record of six straight wins set at the beginning of the 2015 season en route to an 18-3 start.
On Tuesday, Yuki Yasuda set the offense ablaze with a second-inning solo home run off of Pacifics starter Max Beatty. It was Yasuda’s second home run in as many games and his fifth of the season.
Meanwhile, Stompers starter Tyler Garkow pitched five innings of one-run ball, then handed the the game to Ryan Richardson. Garkow’s strong showing gave him the win, improving his record to 5-1.
Richardson struck out the side in the sixth before Dominic Topoozian into the game in the next frame with the bases loaded. At the plate was the tying run and the Pacifics’ most powerful offensive threat, Jake Taylor.
“Obviously he’s a great hitter… My mentality was just attacking him with my best stuff, really trying to get ahead and that’s what I did,” Topoozian said. “I think what really stood out for me was being able to have my teammates’ backs, especially with the run we’re going on.”
Taylor leads the Pacific Association with 14 home runs, just four more than reigning Most Valuable Player and league home-run king Joel Carranza. Carranza drove in three on Tuesday and recorded a triple while Wenrich went 3 for 5.
“Ever since I stepped foot in the locker room these guys have been nothing but good guys to me,” Topoozian said. “It’s fun being with them. I’m glad I came to a great organization.”
The Stompers improve to 7-0 in the second half, 35-11 overall while the Pacifics drop to 20-26. First pitch in Wednesday’s rematch with San Rafael is set for 7:05.
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