The Stompers split the first two games of their week-long seven-game series against the San Rafael Pacifics, winning 9-3 Tuesday but falling 6-3 on Wednesday.
The series moves to Arnold Field tonight for games Friday and Saturday night and a split doubleheader on Sunday with an 11:30 a.m. game in San Rafael and a 5 p.m. game at Arnold Field. Both Sunday games will be seven innings.
Sonoma knew the challenge that they were facing Wednesday night in game two of their series in San Rafael. The Stompers had a good showing in game one, when the Pacifics fell behind the Stompers in the Pacific Association standings. The Pacifics played with a different energy Wednesday, and had a lot of help from a great pitching performance.
Both teams know that whoever wins this seven-game series will be in the driver’s seat for first place in the Pacific Association.
The Pacifics turned to veteran starter Nick DeBarr to try to turn the tide in the series. DeBarr has been around the block a time or two as he has suited up for 17 different minor league teams since 2002.
DeBarr’s job was to shut down the Stomper lineup that has been great this season to pull the Pacifics back to a tie for first in the Pacific Association. The tall right-hander was not fazed by the importance of this game, pitching a beauty in a 6-3 win for San Rafael over the Stompers.
DeBarr really set the tone for the game in his seven innings of work. Sonoma (14-11) scored one in the first inning to jump out front early, but that would be the only earned run Sonoma would get off of him. Sonoma mustered only two hits after the first inning as well. DeBarr struck out a season-?high eight while walking only one. He was able to get ahead of hitters early in the count on a consistent basis.
Stompers starter Jose Flores also threw seven innings but did not fare as well as his counterpart picking up the loss. The fourth and fifth innings were key for San Rafael (14-11), as five runs came in during those two innings off Flores. The Stompers defense has been a bit off in the series, having committed seven errors in the two games so far.
Matt Hibbert had almost half of Sonoma’s seven hits as he finished the game three-for-five with a run scored and an RBI.
Tuesday, the Stompers used a much more patient approach at the plate and a great pitching performance from Mike Jackson Jr. to cruise to a 9-3 win to regain first place in the Pacific Association by themselves
Jackson Jr. received support from his offense right out of the chute as Yuki Yasuda hit a towering homer over the left field wall to give Sonoma the 1-0 lead. The Stompers offense did well at the plate despite the fact that they received little contribution from their third, fourth, and fifth hitters in the order.
The trio went 0 for 13 for the game.
Hurley had another solid night offensively finishing three-for-five with two RBIs and three runs scored.
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