Sonoma Stompers to Welcome Former Major League MVP and World Series Champion Vida Blue on Aug. 9, Among Other Promotional Events in August

Hayley M. Slye / Media Relations

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, are pleased to announce upcoming events for the month of August, including Vida Blue Night on Aug. 9.

Blue, a former Oakland Athletics pitcher and three-time World Series Champion, will head to Peoples Home Equity Ballpark to sign autographs and throw out the first pitch before the Stompers take on the Vallejo Admirals. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

In his 17-year Major League career, Blue earned All-Star honors six times and is the first of only five pitchers in Major League history to start the All-Star game for both the American and National League. Blue won the American League MVP award in 1971 and was a member of the A’s team in the 1970’s that won three World Series titles in a row.

Tickets still available here:  GENERAL ADMISSION  | RESERVED SEATING

ALSO COMING UP AT PEOPLES HOME EQUITY BALLPARK

The Stompers have also added several other events to their promotional calendar, including Japanese Heritage Night, First Responders Night and Bark in the Park.

Aug. 10 is Japanese Heritage Night and will feature a special pre-game ceremony, plus concourse activities. To participate in this special evening or schedule a group event for Japanese Heritage Night, please contact the Stompers front office.

TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE

On First Responders Night on Aug. 11, the Stompers will offer $5 off at the gate for all first responders with an ID or uniform to honor every day heroes. For $15, fans can also sign up for a post-game Home Run Derby and test their skills against reigning Pacific Association Most Valuable Player Joel Carranza and first baseman Daniel Baptista.

TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE

HOME RUN DERBY TICKETS

Fans can bring their dog to the game on Aug. 18 for Bark in the Park, sponsored by Pets Lifeline. Best-dressed dogs can compete in a costume contest, judged by fan favorite Yuki Yasuda. Pets Lifeline, which seeks to protect and improve the lives of cats and dogs in need in Sonoma Valley, will also be accepting donations, providing information on pet adoptions and participating in on-field games.

TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE

Members of both the Empire and Resistance can head to Peoples Home Equity Ballpark for Star Wars Night on Aug. 19 and participate in a costume contest and on-field games.

TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE

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.

Reliever Ryan Richardson Signs with Japanese Independent Team

Ryan Richardson has been a valuable member of the Sonoma Stompers' bullpen in 2017. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Hayley M. Slye / Media Relations

SONOMA, Calif.– Sonoma Stompers reliever Ryan Richardson will head to Japan after being signed by the Kagawa Olive Guyners of the Shikoku Island League.

In his 2017 season with the Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, Richardson notched a 3.46 ERA in 26 innings. Richardson was also a member of the 2016 Pacific Association Championship Stompers team, throwing a scoreless outing in all but one of his nine appearances.

“This is a great opportunity for Ryan. While we'll miss him as a pitcher and as a person, this is one way the Stompers measure our success; giving players a platform to perform and watching them grow to earn greater opportunities. I'm really happy for Ryan,” said Stompers President and General Manager Theo Fightmaster.

In leaving the Stompers, Richardson joins another organization with championships under its belt. The Olive Guyners were established in 2005 and have since won five Island League Championships, most recently in 2012.

STOMPERS TICKETS
Tickets and merchandise are available now either online or at the fan shop at 234 W Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. Tickets are also 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 Short in 6-2 Loss to Pittsburg Diamonds Despite Stellar Defense, Bullpen

Sonoma Stompers outfielders Matt Hibbert (pictured) and Matt LoCoco combined to make the outfield a no-fly zone through most of Tuesday night's 6-2 loss to the Pittsburg Diamonds at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Hayley M. Slye / Media Relations

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, fell short of overcoming a four-run deficit in Tuesday’s 6-2 loss to the Pittsburg Diamonds.

Sonoma starter Taylor Thurber allowed three runs through six, but the Stompers managed just four hits off of the Diamonds’ Tyler Stirewalt. Stirewalt struck out seven in six innings of work.

"We beat ourselves. I don't think we get beat very often," said designated hitter Joel Carranza. "We left a lot of men on base today and if you don't hit the ball, you're not going to win."

Despite a dearth of hits, the Stompers compiled nine walks on the night. While Sonoma’s offense came primarily from walks, the Diamonds used the long ball. Four of Pittsburg’s six runs came on hits that went over the fence.

Sonoma mounted two bases-loaded threats in the later innings. In the sixth, the Stompers strung together three straight walks but did not bring any of them around to score. In the seventh, a walk sent Derrick Fox home to score.

"When the hits don't work, you've got to try something else," Carranza said. 

The game was punctuated by solid defense from Matt LoCoco and Matt Hibbert in the outfield. The two declared the outfield a no-fly zone as LoCoco laid out to make a graceful diving catch, his second spectacular grab in his last few games.

"I feel like we have the best outfield in the league. Nothing drops," Carranza said. "It's fun, because it makes our pitchers a lot more comfortable.  

Stacy Piagno entered the game for the top of the ninth, pitching a scoreless frame and striking out Pittsburg’s Wes Wallace. Zach Wendorf also pitched a scoreless inning in relief.

"Zach has been really good out of the bullpen lately. He's been just getting the job done, doing what he has to do. We're really pleased with how he's been doing," Carranza said. "And Stacy, she comes out and does her thing. It's always fun to watch her."

The Stompers still lead the Pacific Association, but drop to 35-15 while the Diamonds improve to 27-25 at third place.

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.

Stompers to Host Japanese Heritage Night Aug. 10

Shortstop Masa Miyadera is one of two Japanese-born starting players on the Sonoma Stompers, who are lead by Japanese-born manager Takashi Miyoshi. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, will celebrate Japanese Heritage Night on Aug. 10 when they face the Vallejo Admirals at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark at 6 p.m.

The night will feature a special pre-game ceremony, activities along the concourse and quality, Pacific Association-leading baseball.

Stompers manager Takashi Miyoshi became the first Japanese-born manager in the history of American professional baseball when he took the the reins of the team in 2015. Sonoma also has two other Japanese-born players in their starting lineup, fan favorite Yuki Yasuda and shortstop Masa Miyadera.

In addition to Japanese Heritage Night, the Stompers have added several special events to their promotional calendar for the remainder of the season. The team will host former Oakland Athletics star pitcher Vida Blue on Aug. 9, then hold First Responders Night on Aug. 11 as well as Bark in the Park on Aug. 18 and Star Wars Night on Aug. 19.

Find more information on Stompers special events here.

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.

Key and Peel Night to Feature Keys, Peels: Sonoma Stompers April Fools' Day Promotion Comes to Fruition

SONOMA, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club will not host Keegan Key and Jordan Peele on Aug. 8 at Peoples Home Equity Ballpark, but will be offering a whimsical night of baseball instead.

The Stompers announced Key and Peel Night on April 1.

Fans attending the game will receive a blank key as a commemorative token, while supplies last. They will also have a chance to participate in an on-field orange peeling contest and other between-inning games.

In addition to Key & Peel night, the Stompers have added several events to their promotional schedule for the remainder of the 2017 season, including Japanese Heritage Night on Aug. 10, First Responders Night on Aug. 11 and an appearance by former Oakland Athletics star pitcher Vida Blue on Aug. 9.

Find more info on Stompers special events here.

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 to San Rafael Pacifics in a One-Run Pitchers’ Duel

Starter Tyler Garkow delivers in a hard-fought 1-0 loss against the San Rafael Pacifics at People's Home Equity Ballpark. (James W. Toy III)

Sierra Heil / Sonoma Stompers

SONOMA, Calif.– Presented by Virginia Dare Winery, Tyler Garkow provided another quality start for the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club in Sunday's 1-0 series-deciding loss against the San Rafael Pacifics.

While the bats were quiet during the night, the pitching was loud. Garkow added eight strikeouts to his season total of 74, allowing just one earned run over seven and two-third innings pitched.

“I felt good. I make sure I prepare well enough during the week and give myself and my team the best opportunity to go out there and win the game,” Garkow said.

Both teams were left scoreless through seven innings, making way for a pitchers’ duel between Garkow and Pacifics starter, Max Beatty. Beatty held the Stompers to just four hits and pitched his first complete game of the season.

“Max Beatty is a good pitcher. He’s well versed. He has plenty of pitches to mix up. I’ve seen a cutter, a two-seam, a change-up, a slider, and he can command it all. He’s got experience as well,” Garkow said.

“He threw a perfect game through five and two-thirds innings… He had everything going tonight,” Catcher Daniel Comstock said.

Comstock showed leadership behind the dish and provided one of the Stompers four hits throughout the night.

“I love throwing to Comstock. For me, Comstock is a guy that really works hard back there and I appreciate it. He’s a leader, for sure,” Garkow said.

Bullpen pitcher Zach Wendorf and right-hander Dominic Topoozian finished the game, collectively allowing just one hit and no runs.

“I’ve gotten to know these guys and their tendencies as people. I talk to each pitcher differently… They’ve done a great job this week and put up some chances for us to win ballgames,” Comstock said.

The Stompers fall to 37-14 (9-3)  on the season while San Rafael improves to 23-28 (6-6). Sonoma looks to bounce back against the Pittsburg Diamonds in another home series at People’s Home Equity Ballpark starting Tuesday.

“Getting shut out is a rare occasion for us. That’s the beauty of baseball. We shut them out last night and scored six runs and tonight they shut us out and score one. Each day is different,” Comstock 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.

Harris Pitches Complete-Game Gem in Sonoma Stompers 6-0 Victory Over San Rafael Pacifics

Ty’Relle Harris throws his first career complete game to lead the Sonoma Stompers to victory on Saturday against the San Rafael Pacifics in Sonoma. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Geoff Safford / Director of Broadcasting

SONOMA, Calif.- Ty'Relle Harris threw a complete-game shutout to give the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery a 6-0 comeback victory over the San Rafael Pacifics. Harris went the distance, allowing just two hits to earn his first career complete game victory.

“I give a lot of credit to Daniel Comstock,” Harris said. “We made a lot adjustments from my last start that helped me pitch deeper into the game. I just had to trust my catcher, and my defense behind me.”

After the first inning, Harris did not allow another hit until the eighth. After a single and two walks, Juan Herrera came to the plate with the bases loaded, representing the tying run. Herrera launched a deep fly ball into left center, but Matt LoCoco made an acrobatic leaping catch over the top of the wall to rob Herrera of his second grand slam in two days.

“Off the bat, it looked like a routine fly ball,” said LoCoco. “It just kept carrying all the way to the wall,  I was fortunate to be able to make a play on it. I have no problem going out and making a play for any of our pitchers. They battle during every game, it’s my job to go out and support them. That’s why I'm here.”

Sonoma set the tone on offense in the first inning with a Joel Carranza RBI single. Carranza added to the lead in the third with a second RBI single in a two-run inning to give the Stompers a 3-0 lead. Carranza finished the game 2 for 4 with two driven in.

The win extended the Stompers 37-13 (9-2) lead in the second half standings to five games over the second place Pacifics 22-28 (5-6). Sunday’s rubber match will feature with a fabulous pitching match up between 2015 Pacific Association pitcher of the year Max Beatty and flamethrower Tyler Garkow. A win would put the Stompers in the driver’s seat in the Pacific Association second half pennant race.

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 Succumb to San Rafael Pacifics' Two Homers in 7-2 Loss

Juan Espinosa ties his record for strikeouts in a game against San Rafael on Friday at People's Home Equity Ballpark. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Sierra Heil / Sonoma Stompers

SONOMA, Calif.– Presented by Virginia Dare Winery, the Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, were defeated 7-2 by the San Rafael Pacifics in Friday’s matchup despite Juan Espinosa’s forceful performance.

Espinosa tied his season-high in strikeouts with nine, giving up only two runs over seven and one-third innings pitched.

“I was just attacking the hitters’ weaknesses. That’s what’s been helping us out. We know these guys and we face them a lot," Espinosa said. "We just need to keep pounding whatever their weaknesses are.. That’s what the game comes down to."

The Pacifics jumped on Sonoma early with a two-run homer from Juan Herrera in the second inning, but failed to score through the following five. Herrera also sealed the Pacifics’ lead with his second home run of the night, a grand slam.

“The guy was feeling it today. The ball runs into his swing path and he hits it out. It hurts us… It’s very deflating to come back after that,” Espinosa said.

Newly-signed left fielder Derrick Fox singled and doubled in the game, bringing in the first run of the night. Fox returns to Sonoma after playing for the Stompers in 2016, spending time in the American Association.

“The city of Sonoma has always been a great atmosphere every time I’ve been out here. It’s always easy to come out here and be comfortable, play hard, and have fun,” Fox said, “I was a little nervous, but I made a few adjustments and was seeing the ball well so I just put a good swing on it and hoped for the best.”

“That’s ‘D. Fox’ power right there. We’re happy to have him back. We missed him and he’s definitely a big asset to our team, especially in this last second-half run. We need him big-time,” Espinosa said.

San Rafael starter Nick DeBarr gave up one earned run through seven innings, backing the Pacifics’ offensive attack.

“DeBarr had a great game. He kept us off balance and was mixing it up really well and keeping the ball down. He executed better than we did,” Espinosa said.

In a late comeback attempt, Daniel Baptista went deep to left in the eighth with an RBI-double to give the Stompers a second run.

“This whole game we were close. It was just two pitches that changed the game. That’s the game we play. That’s baseball. We just need to execute when we have to, especially in those crucial moments with bases loaded. It’s tough. It’s not easy,” Espinosa said.

The Stompers drop to 36-13 on the season, while the Pacifics improve to 22-27. Looking for redemption, Sonoma will look to take control of the series tomorrow in another 6 o’clock game at People’s Home Equity Ballpark in Sonoma.

“We just have to put a better effort together as an offense tomorrow as a team and hopefully tomorrow we’ll get that win,” Fox 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 Win 6-3 Over San Rafael Pacifics in an Extra-Innings Showdown

Scott David hits an RBI single to give the Sonoma Stompers a three-run lead against the San Rafael Pacifics in the tenth inning on Thursday at Albert Park. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

Sierra Heil / Stompers Baseball

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, won 6-3 in an extra-inning battle over the San Rafael Pacifics on Thursday, redeeming a hard-fought loss the night before to take the series.

“The biggest thing we did today was put yesterday behind us. I think (catcher Isaac Wenrich) said it best when he said ‘It’s Thursday today. Wednesday doesn’t matter anymore,’ so we just came out with confidence like we have been for 50 games already and know that we’re a better team than that. We showed that today,” said starter Scott Plaza.

Plaza allowed just one earned run over six and two-thirds innings in an otherwise spotless performance, keeping the Pacifics scoreless through five.

“Scott and I have had a couple good games this year. I caught his complete game over in Sonoma. Tonight, everything was working. Every pitch that I called he trusted me and threw with conviction. He pitched a phenomenal game tonight,” said catcher Daniel Comstock.

“I was able to establish my cutter early. That was the game plan with Comstock, was to attack with the cutter and then work everything off of that,” Plaza said.

Comstock bolstered Sonoma’s offensive attack on the Pacifics, smacking three hits and driving in a run.

“Tonight, for some reason, the ball just looked really big. I was comfortable at the plate and felt free. I wasn’t tight at all,” Comstock said.

In the second back-and-forth battle of the series, the Pacifics tied the game in the eighth with a bases-loaded RBI double from Mark Lindsay.

Reliever Jacob Cox delivered an unblemished outing, paving the way for a Stompers tenth-inning rally.

“It’s fun to catch him because he throws hard and it moves. Every pitch that I call for him I think, ‘they’re not going to touch this,’ ” Comstock said.

“In a crucial moment, a guy like Cox is the best guy from the bullpen for us,” Miyoshi said.

The Stompers put up three runs in the ninth, two of which came off the bat of third baseman Scott David. Zach Wendorf pitched the final inning of the game.

In stark contract the Pacifics’ five errors, the Stompers made several strong defensive plays, including a diving catch from Marcus Bradley in right and an Isaac Wenrich backhanded grab at first.

“Everybody was on it tonight because we know last night we just beat ourselves. They didn’t beat us,” Miyoshi said.  “We were ready to come back tonight and we did.”

The Stompers improve to 36-12 on the season, while the Pacifics fall to 21-27.

Looking to add to a five-game lead over the second-place Diamonds, Sonoma will return home to face San Rafael Friday at 6 p.m. at People’s Home Equity Ballpark.

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 8-7 to San Rafael Pacifics, Snap Nine-Game Win Streak

Marcus Bradley went 2 for 2 with three walks in Wednesday’s 8-7 loss to the San Rafael Pacifics at Albert Park. (James W. Toy III / Sonoma Stompers)

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.– The Sonoma Stompers Professional Baseball Club, presented by Virginia Dare Winery, fell 8-7 to the San Rafael Pacifics on Wednesday night, snapping a nine-game overall win streak and 7-0 run to start the second half.  

The Stompers fall to 35-12 on the season but still sit at the top of the league 11 games ahead of the next-best Pittsburg Diamonds overall, while the Pacifics improve to .500 in the second half.

Stompers starter Taylor Thurber has been dominant this season, coming into the game 3-0 with a 1.38 ERA. He delivered again on the mound through four innings before the Pacifics shook five combined runs out of him in the fifth and sixth.

“Thurber competes every time he’s up there. Tonight probably wasn’t his best stuff, but he still competed all the way until he got pulled out,” said right fielder Marcus Bradley.

Coming into Wednesday, Thurber had not allowed more than two runs in an outing this season.

Neither team’s offense struggled to gain momentum throughout the night. For the Stompers, veteran Yuki Yasuda knocked his third extra base hit in three days and went 3 for 4 on the night. Yasuda hit two home runs in the two games leading up to Wednesday, when he sent two balls to the warning track in deep left.

Bradley walked three times and scored two of the Stomper runs while contributing two hits on the night. Bradley and the Pacifics’ Demetrius Moorer have drawn 44 walks apiece this season, 11 more than the next-best player in the league.

“I was just trying to get on base. I was the two-hole hitter, so that’s my job, to let the big bats do their jobs,” Bradley said.

With the game tied in the seventh inning, Daniel Baptista roped a double to center to bring in Yasuda and give the Stompers back their lead. But it wouldn’t last long, as the Pacifics’ roared back with two runs in the eighth to make the score 8-3 San Rafael.

The Stompers face the Pacifics in a series-deciding matchup on Thursday at Albert Park at 7:05.

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.