The Sonoma Stompers swept a key three-game series against the San Rafael Pacifics over the weekend to open up a two-game second-half lead – and a four-game overall lead – over the Pacifics entering the last week of the season.
Sunday, the Pacifics struck first and put two runs on the board in the top of the first. But the Stompers roared back and plated eight runs in their half of the first and seven more in the second to take a 15-2 lead on their way to a 17-10 win.
The first 10 hitters in the first inning reached base, and eight of them scored.
Pacifics starter Nick DeBarr didn’t record an out in the first inning before he was pulled from the game. The big blow in the inning was a grand slam by Chaz Meadows to give the Stompers an eight-run advantage. Both Derrick Fox, and Daniel Baptista also had two run doubles in the inning. Meadows’ home run was not only the first grand slam he had hit, but was also the first home run he had hit in his professional career.
“I kind of knew off the bat that it was going out but there was a lot going through my mind when I hit it,” said Meadows. ?“It was such a great feeling seeing the ball go over the fence. I couldn’t have asked for a better moment for my first professional home run.”
The Pacifics outhit the Stompers 15-11, but the Pacifics pitching staff also walked nine batters and hit four others. Both offenses combined for 27 runs and 26 hits. Daniel Baptista had another productive night finishing 2-for-6 with a home run and four driven in. Sunday’s performance wrapped up an unbelievable week at the plate for the first baseman. Baptista was 14 for 31 with three home runs and 15 driven in during this week alone.
Saturday, Erik Gonzalves made his first start of the season. Gonzalves had not started a game for the Stompers since Aug. 31, 2014. And Gonzalves turned in a great performance on the mound in an 8-2 win.
Gonzalves was in control for most of the night as he allowed five hits, struck out five and walked only two in eight innings of work. When the Pacifcs did threaten to score runs, Gonsalves was able to get out of jams by inducing three double plays. The only blip on the screen for the right-hander was a two-run homer by Mike Taylor in the eighth inning.
“I was just trying to pound the bottom of the zone against their lineup. I’ve faced guys like Jake Taylor and Zack Pace a number of times and knew how to attack them as a pitcher,” said Gonsalves. “The double plays were also key, they are always a pitcher’s best friend.”
Randy Santiesteban was a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs scored. Scott David also continued his torrid start with the Stompers with another multi-hit night. David was 2-for-4 with two home runs and five driven in.
Friday’s series opener began with offensive fireworks right from the start. Jake Taylor had a two-run homer in first inning to give the Pacifics an early advantage. His 14th home run of the season gave him the lead in that category. But the Pacifics’ two-run lead wouldn’t last long as the Stompers scored early and often in a 13-4 win.
The Stompers offense scored 11 runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to put the game well out of reach. Joel Carranza tied Taylor for the home run lead in the Pacific Association with a three-run shot in the sixth. Carranza was 2-for-5 with four driven in. Mark Hurley also homered to right for his fifth homer of the season.
The newly acquired Scott David was a perfect 4-for-4 with an RBI and four runs scored.
The 2015 Pacific Association batting champion has continued right where he left off in this league with immediate success.
Oliver Garcia picked up his fifth win on the mound in six innings. Garcia allowed two runs on five hits and struck out four. Adam Ogburn was also effective out of the pen in his 1-1/3 innings of work to close out the game. Ogburn struck out three of the four batters he faced.
“David has played in some other leagues before coming out here and knows what it takes to be successful,” said bench coach Chris Matthews. “I was really happy the approach our entire team to go out and be aggressive. We are executing at the plate against our competition and we just need to stay focused and keep the intensity level high the rest of the way.”
Thursday, Baptista tied a franchise record with seven RBIs in the Stompers 13-4 win over the Vallejo Admirals. Baptista was 3-for-4 with two home runs and a double.
The Stompers (43-29, 20-13 second half) sweep of the Pacifics (39-33, 18-15 second half) puts them two games clear of San Rafael with only six games remaining in the season.
Sonoma will take on the Vallejo Admirals (30-42, 15-18 second half) in a three-game series starting tonight, Tuesday, in the final home series of the season at Arnold Field. Game time Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday is 6 p.m.
The Stompers and Pacifics will meet again during the final weekend of the regular season next Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Albert Park.
At one point during the season the Stompers were 3-9 against the Pacifics, but have completely turned the tables by winning six straight against them. The Stompers have outscored the Pacifics 70-23 in their last six games.
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