Sonoma Stompers fall to Pittsburg Diamonds 2-0 Despite Tyler Garkow's 12 Strikeouts

Tyler Garkow tied the franchise record for strikeouts in a game for the second time on Friday at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Sierra Heil / Sonoma Stompers

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, fell to the Pittsburg Diamonds 2-0 despite starter Tyler Garkow’s outstanding performance on the mound.

Garkow struck out 12 in seven innings and allowed just three hits and one earned run. It is the second start this season in which he has tied the franchise record for strikeouts in a game. In his first season with the Stompers, Garkow has totaled 51 strikeouts.

“I feel like I have a decent fastball that moves, but a mixture of fastball and cutter really kept them off balance,” Garkow said. “They had three hits… One was a bunt, one was a ball that just took a bad hop and a bloop single. Everything was working tonight.”

Both teams had only one hit apiece through 4 innings and Pittsburg scored the first run of the game in the sixth. The Stompers left 11 on base and recorded two hits to the Diamonds’ four. The low-offense affair stood in stark contrast to Thursday’s game, which saw both teams total 39 hits.

“Yesterday we scored 17 runs and baseball is a game where you can score no runs the next night,” Garkow said. “It’s a grind. It’s a long season. We just have to go out there and do the best we can every time.”

After drawing a walk in the fourth, catcher Isaac Wenrich threatened to score on a Yuki Yasuda hit down the third base line in the fourth inning. He was thrown out at home on a close call, thwarting Sonoma’s best chance to score.

Ty’Relle Harris, activated earlier in the day, came in to pitch the eighth inning for the Stompers and retired 3 in a row with 2 strikeouts.

“Having Ty’Relle come back is huge for us,” Garkow said. “He’s helping a lot of guys, myself included. He’s become my mentor and I appreciate everything he does for the entire team.”

The Diamonds sealed their win with a Vinny Guglietti home run in the top of the ninth. Sonoma’s record drops to 26-11 on the season while the Diamonds improve to to 21-16.

“This pitching staff needs to keep it rolling, there were only two runs tonight–Just roll that on to the next series and the next game,” Garkow said.

The three-game set at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field continues Saturday. All Stompers home games are slated to begin at 6 p.m. for the remainder of the season.

Right-handed pitcher Stacy Piagno will get the start for Sonoma on Saturday. Piagno is one of two women on the Stompers’ roster and will make her first start of 2017 in the matchup.

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.

Sonoma Stompers Sweep Pittsburg Diamonds with 17-14 Victory Behind Big Nights from Scott David, Daniel Baptista

Daniel Baptista (center) went 4 for 6 in his 2017 debut in the Sonoma Stompers' 17-14 victory over the Pittsburg Diamonds on Thursday at Winter Chevrolet Stadium. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, defeated the Pittsburg Diamonds 17-14 Thursday at Winter Chevrolet Stadium to secure the series sweep.

The Stompers clinched their third straight first-half title Wednesday and celebrated by erupting for over ten runs for the first time since July 2. Five different Stompers recorded multiple multi-hit games while Scott David drove in six runs on the night. 

Activated off the inactive list earlier in the day, first baseman Daniel Baptista went 4-6 with two RBI. Baptista, who has been with the Stompers since 2016, hit .304 with nine home runs in 69 games last season.

“I just told myself to be in the moment, enjoy the moment,” Baptista said. “I’m blessed to be back out there, honestly. Watching my guys today, it was a great ballgame. We never quit. It was just a beautiful day today.”

Both teams were loud offensively, as Pittsburg notched 19 hits on the night to Sonoma’s 20–rocking the starters on both sides. The Diamonds went to the bullpen in the second inning while Sonoma called on Dominic Topoozian in the third. Topoozian made his Stompers debut in the series. 

Zach Wendorf earned his first save as a Stomper, striking out two in an inning and two thirds, while picked up the win. 

Sonoma improves to 26-10 on the season while the Diamonds drop to 20-16. The Stompers begin a three-game set with Pittsburg at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark on Friday at 6 p.m. The start times for all weekend home games has been changed to 6 p.m. for the remainder of the season. 

THREE-PEAT PROMOTION

The Stompers are offering a trio of promotions through the weekend to celebrate their first half title. With promo code “3PEAT,” fans can receive 30 percent off tickets online for the Stompers’ next homestand, July 14-16. The promo code cannot be used at the fan shop or at the box office. 

2016 Pacific Association Championship merchandise is 30 percent off with a Facebook check in at “Sonoma Stompers Home Game”  in the fan shop and at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark through the weekend. This promotion is not applicable online. 

Stompers fans at the ballpark Friday through Sunday can also purchase $3 Coors Light on draft through the first three innings of all three games of the series.

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.

Sonoma Stompers Clinch First-Half Title With 6-5 Victory Over Pittsburg Diamonds in Extras

The Sonoma Stompers celebrate after clinching the Pacific Association first half title for the third year in a row with a 6-5 victory over the Pittsburg Diamonds. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Hayley M. Slye / Director of Media Relations

SONOMA, Calif.– Not everything went their way Wednesday night, but the the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, turned adversity into a 6-5 victory to secure the Pacific Association first-half pennant, their third one in a row.

Sonoma headed to extras on a strike out, throw out double play. In the tenth, manager Takashi Miyoshi put a double-steal play on with two outs. It worked again–his signature play gave Sonoma the 6-3 lead.

“We have to stick to our strengths. (That play) is our signature, and it worked out. I’m just really happy,” Miyoshi said.

Jacob Cox closed the game, earning the save for the second day in a row. The team crowded around Cox at the mound after the last out of the game, cheering and popping champange. 

"How many jobs do you get to have that you get to celebrate victories like this?" said Stompers president and general manager Theo Fightmaster. "In that sense, it's really rewarding, in that sense, it doesn't get old... The person who should get most of the credit if not all of the credit is Yoshi."

Sonoma faced Pittsburg starter Travis Blackley, who last pitched in the Major Leagues for the Houston Astros in 2013.

Blackley allowed just one Sonoma run until the seventh, when Eddie Mora-Loera slid into home on a Yuki Yasuda sac bunt and Matt Hibbert drove in the second run of the frame to give the Stompers a two-run lead. 

A two-run home run from Javier Marticorena evened the score in the bottom of the frame. Ryan Richardson retired the side after the knock, but it remained a 3-3 game until extras.

The Stompers took their first lead in the third inning on a Brennan Metzger ground ball. A ball off the bat of Yuki Yasuda earlier in the inning would have been a three-run homer, but was called foul.

The Diamonds tied the game in the bottom of that frame also. Pittsburg struck for six hits off of Plaza through six, managing two runs.

“Pittsburg is definitely an upgraded team,” Miyoshi said. “They are one of the best teams, so we really have to keep up, study them, just get prepared and play hard.”

With the victory, the Stompers improve to 25-10 on the season and ensure themselves a spot in the Pacific Association championship game at the end of the year. If the Stompers also secure the second-half title, there is no championship game and Sonoma is the outright champion.

“I’m trying to get better, just like the players. I’m trying to prepare every day that I can. I’m not a ‘great’ yet, but I’m just trying to be,” Miyoshi said.  “We won the first half title, but it’s not the championship yet. Tomorrow, I’m just coming back and staying hungry, staying aggressive.”

THREE-PEAT PROMOTION

To celebrate with their fans, the Stompers are offering a trio of promotions through the weekend. With promo code “3PEAT,” fans can receive 30 percent off tickets online for the Stompers’ next homestand, July 14-16. The promo code cannot be used at the fan shop or at the box office.

2016 Pacific Association Championship merchandise is 30 percent off in the fan shop and at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark through the weekend. This promotion is not applicable online.

Stompers fans at the ballpark Friday through Sunday can also purchase $3 Coors Light on draft through the first three innings of all three games of the series.

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.

Sonoma Stompers Offer Trio of Promotions to Celebrate Third Straight First-Half Pacific Association Pennant

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, clinched their third straight first-half title Wednesday. To celebrate with their fans, the Stompers are offering a trio of promotions through the weekend series against the Pittsburg Diamonds. 

30 PERCENT OFF TICKETS

With promo code “3PEAT,” fans can receive 30 percent off tickets online for the Stompers’ next homestand, July 14-16. The promo code cannot be used at the fan shop or at the box office. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. all three games.

30 PERCENT OFF 2016 CHAMPIONSHIP MERCHANDISE

2016 Pacific Association Championship merchandise is 30 percent off in the fan shop and at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark through the weekend when fans check in This promotion is not applicable online.

$3 COORS LIGHTS

Stompers fans at the ballpark Friday through Sunday can also purchase $3 Coors Light on draft through the first three innings of all three games of the series.

By winning the first half pennant, the Stompers ensure a spot in the championship game at the end of the year. If the Stompers also secure the second-half title, there is no championship game and Sonoma is the outright champion.

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.

Sonoma Stompers to host Vernon Davis in Partnership with Sonoma Brands

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, will host former San Francisco 49ers Pro-Bowl tight end Vernon Davis on July 21. The event is in partnership with Sonoma Brands.

The longtime 49er and Super Bowl Champion will be on hand to mingle with fans and throw out the first pitch. Davis will also be promoting the Vernon Davis Foundation for the Arts, which champions art education and appreciation and awards scholarships to dedicated art students.

In collaboration with the Vernon Davis Foundation, a portion of the proceeds from the July 21 game will go to directly to art and music programs at the Presentation School in Sonoma.

Fans at the game who check in to “Sonoma Stompers Home Game” on Facebook will receive a discount on a Stompers-branded Vernon Davis No. 85 tee. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Tickets available here:

GENERAL ADMISSION | RESERVED SEATING

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.

Sonoma Stompers Take 1-0 Victory over Pittsburg Diamonds Behind Taylor Thurber's Gem, Carranza's Homer

Taylor Thurber shut out the Pittsburg Diamonds through seven innings in Tuesday's 1-0 Victory for the Sonoma Stompers at Winter Chevrolet Stadium. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Hayley M. Slye / Director of Media Relations

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, won 1-0 behind an excellent effort from starter Taylor Thurber.

Thurber allowed five hits and issued just one walk in seven innings pitched, keeping the Diamonds scoreless in that span. He played all of last season with the Stompers and headed to the American Association before returning to Sonoma.

“In a close ball game like that, you want to make sure you’re making your pitches and staying dialed in. When the game is on the line, it can be turned over just like that,” Thurber said.

Sonoma threatened to score several times, but left 12 players on base. Six different Stompers recorded base hits in total Tuesday, but Joel Carranza was the only one to cross the plate. Carranza delivered a soaring home run to left center field in the first inning.

“In a game like this, we need him,” said Manager Takashi Miyoshi. “I’m just not surprised at all. This is who he is. This is the reason why we won the Championship last year.”

On the Pittsburg side, starter Corey McDonald’s only blemishes were Carranza’s dinger and four hits. The Pittsburg bullpen kept Sonoma scoreless in the last three frames despite issuing four walks.

The game ended with a flourish, as Jacob Cox made an excellent play on a high chopper to field the last out of the game.

“It’s a thrill watching him finish it off like that. I trust him all the way,” Thurber said.

Cox retired the Diamonds in order and earned the six-out save.

“He started studying about hitters in the bullpen,” Miyoshi said. “Now, he takes a memo every time he’s in the bullpen and how he prepared for the game changed him for the better.”

The Stompers play their next five games against Pittsburg and improve to 24-10 on the season in first place, while the Diamonds drop to 20-14 at four games back. Sonoma has to win just one more game in order to clinch the Pacific Association first-half title.

“Before we came here, I told them ‘play like family, stick together.’ I didn’t even talk about the numbers tonight because I’m really satisfied with what they have done this season. I have no complaints. I trust them a lot and if like play just like they have been, they’re going to win. We just have to stay the same team,” Miyoshi said.

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.

Sonoma Stompers Fall 4-0 to Vallejo Admirals Despite Solid Start from Juan Espinosa

Juan Espinosa struck out eight Vallejo Admirals in the Sonoma Stompers' 4-0 loss Sunday night at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Hayley M. Slye / Director of Media Relations

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, squandered a strong start from Juan Espinosa in Sunday’s 4-0 loss to the Vallejo Admirals. The defeat gave the the Stompers their first series lost to Vallejo and was the first time Sonoma has been shut out all season.

The Stompers managed just three hits against Vallejo starter Marquis Hutchinson, who kept Sonoma scoreless in eight strong innings. Before loading the bases in the eighth, Eddie Mora-Loera’s two walks on the night were the Stompers’ most substantial offense while Hutchinson was on the mound.

“I was just focusing in on a couple pitches. That’s what I was looking for, that’s what my timing was and I just let it happen,” Mora-Loera said.

With the bases loaded in the eighth, Isaac Wenrich hit a hard fly ball to deep left that landed in the glove of the Admirals’ left fielder. Mora-Loera made noise again in the ninth with a hard base hit to left, but nothing came of the effort.

On the Stompers’ side, Juan Espinosa delivered his 4th excellent start in a row. Espinosa struck out eight in eight and one-thirds innings, only allowing three first-inning runs and retiring the Admirals in order six times. At one point, Espinosa retired 16 Admirals in a row.

“Especially here at home, (Espinosa) mixes up his pitches really well, keeps guys off balance, their timing off,” Mora-Loera said.

Dominic Topoozian made his professional debut Sunday night. Signed to the Stompers the same day, Toopozian issued a walk and recorded a strikeout.

With the Pittsburg Diamonds’ victory earlier in the day, the Sonoma’s magic number to clinch the first half becomes four. The Stompers (23-10) head to Pittsburg (20-13) Tuesday for a three-game set before hosting the Diamonds at home over the weekend.

“I think it only feels like a losing skid because we’ve won so many games,” Mora-Loera said. “I think with baseball, if we keep playing hard it’s going to come our way. There’s no time to panic, really.”

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.

Joel Carranza and Brennan Metzger Homer In Sonoma Stompers' 6-5 Loss To Vallejo Admirals

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.

Two Big Innings Back Mike Jackson Jr.'s Nine-Strikeout Outing in Sonoma Stompers' 5-1 win over Vallejo Admirals

Mike Jackson Jr. struck out nine in his six-inning outing in the Sonoma Stompers' 5-1 win over the Vallejo Admirals on Friday at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, defeated the Vallejo Admirals 5-1 Friday night behind a solid performance from starter Mike Jackson Jr.

Jackson, who came in second in Pacific Association Pitcher of the Year voting last season, struck out nine in his six inning performance. He allowed just five hits in that span and shut out the Admirals, setting up the Stompers for success with a 5-0 lead.

“(Manager Takashi Miyoshi) talked to me and told me what was wrong in my last two starts,” Jackson said. “I made an adjustment, talked to him, talked to (catcher Isaac Wenrich), buckled down and got the job done.”

Jackson came into the game with a 14.25 earned run average in his last three starts and had allowed 16 runs on 24 hits in nine innings in his last two starts against Vallejo.

“It was definitely fun back there to have Mike on his game again, making every pitch. I think it keeps it a lot looser out there,” Wenrich said.

To back up Jackson’s outing, Brennan Metzger scored on a wild pitch and Masa Miyadera drew a bases-loaded walk for two runs in the fourth. Despite only managing one hit through four, the Stompers knocked three base hits in the fifth to take a 5-0 lead.

It was a team effort as five different Stompers were responsible for the night’s runs.

The Admirals scored their only run in the seventh on an RBI double. Starter David Dinelli left in the third with an injury after allowing the first two Stompers runs. His replacement, Eli Garcia, was responsible for the last three.

The Stompers came into the game off of just their second series loss of the season.

“We just had to talk about why we lost those two games. We want to make an adjustment, so we try to focus on making an adjustment against this team and we bounced back pretty well,” Miiyoshi said. “I’m just very happy”

With the victory, the Stompers improve to 23-8 on the season while the Admirals drop to 8-21. With the second-place Pittsburg Diamonds’ walk-off win over the San Rafael Pacifics Friday, Sonoma’s magic number is now at four to clinch the first half.

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.

Sonoma Stompers Drop Second Series of Season with 6-5 Extra-Inning Loss to Pittsburg Diamonds

Brennan Metzger (right) hit a two-run home run in the Sonoma Stompers' 6-5 loss to the Pittsburg Diamonds on Thursday. (James W. Toy III, Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, lost their second series of the season with a 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Pittsburg Diamonds on Thursday night.

The series was only the second between the two teams in 2017, as they haven’t faced each other since the Stompers swept Pittsburg in the first series of the season.

“We’ve just got to keep playing our game. It just goes to show that Pittsburg is a much better team than they were the first three games of the season,” said Stompers left fielder Brennan Metzger.

The Stompers’ only runs prior to the tenth came off of the bat of Metzger, who hit a two-run home run in the sixth that hit the top of the press box in left field.

“I got to a 2-0 count and I was sitting there thinking ‘well, he’s probably going to throw me a fastball right now,’” Metzger said. “Sure enough, it just kind of all worked out and I got it.”

Taylor Thurber, a returning Stomper from the 2016 roster signed earlier in July, put up a strong start against ex-MLB player Travis Blackley on the Diamonds’ side. Australian native Blackley played 82 games and made 26 starts in the Major Leagues for five teams including the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants.

“For me, it was kind of fun actually, because he was a former teammate, we played together in the Giants organization,” Metzger said. “I got a triple off of him, so that was fun.”

Blackley allowed five hits and struck out four in five innings of work, keeping the Stompers scoreless in tandem with Skylar Shaw-Fuss out of the bullpen until Metzger’s jack. On the Stompers’ side of the early pitcher’s duel, Thurber stayed in the game through six and allowed just two earned runs.

The Diamonds evened the score in the next frame on a hard, two-RBI double from Kori Melo.

Both teams remained scoreless until the tenth, when the Pacific Association’s tiebreaker rule allowed the Diamonds to strike for four runs off of Ryan Richardson and Zach Wendorf. The Stompers struck back, coming within one run in the top of the ninth, but were unable to get the tying run around to score.

The first-place Stompers fall to 22-8 on the season while the second-place Diamonds improve to 17-13, leaving Sonoma’s magic number to clinch the first half at five.

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.