SONOMA, Calif- The Sonoma Stompers extend their winning streak to 4 games after Vijay Patel’s magnificent start in 6-2 win over the Vallejo Admirals.
The Stompers got on the board first in the bottom of the 1stinning against Vallejo right-hander Carl Brice. Nick Gotta, the Pacific Association’s leader in walks, drew a walk to open the ballgame and was followed by a Pedro Barrios double. Rob DeAngelis brought home the first run with a flare single to left, making it 1-0. Chris Kwitzer then drove in his 7thrun of the year with a sacrifice fly to deep center, scoring Barrios, extending the lead to 2-0.
Vallejo scored in the top of the second inning on a Nick Crouse RBI single, cashing in Chevy Clarke’s leadoff double, cutting the lead in half 2-1.
Pedro Barrios extended the Stompers lead in the bottom of the 4thinning with a 3-run bomb to right center field, his first of the year, increasing the lead to 5-1.
Vijay Patel (1-0) tossed a spectacular 6 innings of work. He allowed one more run on a Zach Files homer in the top of the 6thbut that was all. He scattered 3 hits across those 6 inning while allowing just 2 runs and striking out 8. At one point, Patel had retired 11 Admirals in a row before that streak was snapped by the Files home run.
The Stompers added one more in the bottom of the 6thinning on a Dondrei Hubbard RBI single up the middle, making the score 6-2.
The bullpen was phenomenal for Manager Zack Pace. In 3 innings they allowed just 1 hit as Jacob Cox slammed the door in the 9th.
The Stompers improve to 7-3 on the season and sit just ½ game behind San Rafael for first place and are back at Arnold Field on Friday night at 6:05 for the final game of the home stand.