Stacy Piagno pitched a scoreless inning of work in Wednesday's 13-6 loss to the Vallejo Admirals at Wilson Park. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)
VALLEJO, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, fell from first place in the Pacific Association standings for the first time in 2017 with a 13-6 loss to the Vallejo Admirals on Wednesday.
The two teams were tied at 15-10 going into the contest, in which Vallejo cast a long shadow on the Stompers with ten runs in the first frame.
Nick Akins Sr. was the primary offensive force for Vallejo, notching six runs batted in in the frame, including a grand slam. At the end of the nearly four-hour game, Akins and Chevy Clarke combined to drive in nine of the Admirals’ 13 runs.
The Admirals recorded twice as many hits as the Stompers in the matchup, out-hitting them 14-7.
Starter Ely Gallego made his first start as a Stomper on Wednesday after coming to the Pacific Association from the Pecos League this week. Gallego lasted just two innings before being replaced by another newly-minted Stomper, Zach Williams.
Williams allowed two more Admirals runs, but struck out five in two innings of work.
His effort was one of a handful of solid Stompers performances out of the bullpen. Stacy Piagno recorded another scoreless inning of work, her ninth in a row dating back to July 15, while Zach Wendorf struck out four and blanked the Admirals in two innings.
Vallejo scored all of their 13 runs in the first three innings as the Sonoma bullpen blanked the Admirals after that frame.
The Stompers will look to avoid their second sweep by the Admirals in a row Thursday at 6:35 p.m. at WIlson Park in Vallejo, Calif.
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.