Starter Tyler Garkow struck out eight in Friday's 9-3 win over the Pittsburg Diamonds to give the Stompers back their spot alone at the top of the Pacific Association standings. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)
SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, broke a four-game losing streak with a brilliant, 9-3 victory over the Pittsburg Diamonds.
The shining offensive effort puts the Stompers back in rarefied air at first place, one game ahead of the Vallejo Admirals. Thursday marked the only day this season the Stompers have not been alone atop the Pacific Association standings.
Sonoma starter Tyler Garkow struck out eight through six and two-thirds innings, issuing just one walk. The performance marked his last one as a Stomper before heading to the Washington WildThings of the Frontier League.
“We’re all doing the best we can and we’re still fighting and scratching and clawing for that dream. I’m just fortunate enough to be one step closer,” Garkow said. “It doesn’t mean I’m more deserving than anybody else, I just got the opportunity. I just have to make the most of it.”
He is the second Stomper to ascend to a higher league this season as bullpen arm Ryan Richardson left to play in Japan in early August.
“Garkow is a great guy on and off the field, hard worker on and off. Every day I see him at the Gym, he’s never lazy. He definitely deserves this opportunity,” said manager Takashi Miyoshi.
Garkow kept the Diamonds off the board through three, when Pittsburg recorded its first hit of the night with a home run off the bat of Jose Garcia. The Diamonds followed it up with two base hits, but Garkow shut the inning down and kept the damage at one run. A two-RBI single in the fifth represented the other pair of runs.
Brennan Metzger, who came into Friday on a 12-game hitting streak, extended that streak to 13 games with a 4 for 5 performance. He has recorded a hit in every game since July 19. Yuki Yasuda and Derrick fox also contributed on offense, going 4 for 4 and 3 for 5, respectively.
“Today, everyone loosened up, relaxed and just put the ball in play,” Miyoshi said.
Relievers Zach Wendorf and Jacob Cox each pitched about an inning of scoreless work to secure the win for Sonoma, combining to strike out three and allow no hits.
The Stompers will look to put together a string of wins Saturday at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field for the second game of the series. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
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.