SAN RAFAEL, Calif- On a Sunday matinee from Albert park, the Sonoma Stompers entered with a 4.5 game lead over 2nd place San Rafael and left with a 5.5 game lead after dominant pitching and clutch hitting.
The Stompers wasted no time getting on the board in the top of the first inning against San Rafael starter Edward Perez (1-1). After 2 quick outs, Chris Kwitzer drew a walk and Brent Gillespie followed with a single to put a man in scoring position. With 2 strikes, Miles Williams singled through the right side of the infield, bringing Kwitzer home as the Stompers struck first, 1-0.
A huge top of the 4thinning proved to be the difference early on when the Stompers accumulated 6 runs in the inning. Jacob Barfield led off the inning with his 11th blast of the season, a sky-scraper to left, making it 2-0. Bronson Butcher then walked and Rayson Romero doubled into he right field corner to put runners at first and second. With the infield pulled in, Nick Gotta brought both runs home with a 2-run knock, doubling the lead 4-0. Dondrei Hubbard followed the Gotta hit with a walk and Gillespie brought everybody home with a 3-run home run to right field, blowing it wide open 7-0.
San Rafael answered with 2 runs in the bottom half of the 4th inning off Stomper right-hander Jacob Cox (2-0), to put the Pacifics on the board 7-2.
The Pacifics got one more in the bottom of the 6th inning on a Corey Dempster solo home run, making the score 7-3.
San Rafael made it even closer in the bottom of the 7th inning scoring twice and making it just a 2-run game, 7-5.
The Stompers offense answered the call in the top of the 8th inning. Back-to-back, 1-out singles by Kwitzer and Gillespie set the table for a Williams RBI double and a Rob DeAngelis RBI groundout, extending the Stompers lead 9-5.
Butcher capped off the afternoon with his second home run of the season, this one a moon shot to left field, giving the Stompers the 10-5 victory.
Cox tossed 6 innings while allowing 3 runs on 3 hits and striking out 2.
The Stompers are back home Tuesday night at 6:05 against the Salina Stockade.