Brennan Metzger homered for his second time in three games in Saturday night's 6-5 loss to the Vallejo Admirals at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. (James W. Toy / Sonoma Stompers)
Geoff Safford / Director of Broadcasting
SONOMA, Calif- The Sonoma Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery fell just short to the Vallejo Admirals in a 6-5 loss Saturday.
It was the first time the Admirals won a game at People’s Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field.
“The ball just did not bounce our way tonight,” said third baseman Eddie Mora-Loera. “But we know we have a great team in many aspects so we just need to focus on coming back strong tomorrow.”
With the game tied at three headed to the eighth inning, Vallejo put a rally together against DJ Sharabi, one of Sonoma’s toughest relievers. Sharabi allowed a walk and two hits before departing with the bases loaded. Adam Ogburn allowed all three runs to come home in the inning as the Admirals took a 6-3 lead.
Vallejo also rallied for three in the fourth inning, taking a 3-2 lead. The biggest blow came on a two-RBI single by David Kiriakos that bounced off of second base and into right center.
Mora-Loera delivered in the eighth with a two-out, two-RBI single of his own to put the Stompers within one run, but it was all Sonoma would muster. Mora-Loera finished the game 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
Both Joel Carranza and Brennan Metzger homered in the loss. Carranza is now tied for second in the Pacific Association with eight home runs. Metzger’shot was his second home run in three games and extended his hitting streak to six games. He has a hit in nine of his last eleven contests.
“I struggled a little bit at the beginning of the season but never felt bad about what I was doing from a preparation standpoint,” said Metzger. “I never let my confidence run away from me I knew that eventually I would get locked in.”
The loss the allowed the Pittsburg Diamonds (19-13) to creep closer to the first-place Stompers (23-9). The Diamonds now trail Sonoma by four games in the first-half pennant race. With a set of six games against Pittsburg on the horizon, Sunday’s rubber match against the Admirals becomes crucial for Sonoma on the hunt for its third straight Pacific Association first-half pennant.
“We need to go out and play with the swagger that a first place team should have,” said Metzger. “If we go out and play loose I think that things will go our way.”
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.