Yasuda powers Stompers to 6-2 win

Taylor Thurber has one of the more interesting routines when pitching on the mound that you will ever see. He is always moving around on the mound. Moving his hat, the rosin bag, anything he can find. Thurber hides the ball very well, and uses deception even better.

Thurber had been used out of the bullpen exclusively until Wednesday when he made his first start for the Stompers against the Diamonds at City Park Field. He did not disappoint.

Sonoma was able to provide some help offensively, as the biggest inning of the game was a four-run fourth inning that put Sonoma in the lead for good on their way to a 6-2 victory. Yuki Yasuda hit his second ‘Yuki Bomb’ of the season over the left field wall to put an exclamation point on the inning off Chris Cummins. That homer proved to be the difference in the game as Yasuda finished the game three-for-four with two runs scored and three RBIs.

Caleb Bryson had another impressive day at the plate as well with a double and two walks. Bryson has made some adjustments at the plate by staying more patient, and has been able to work more counts in his favor. His double in the fourth was hit to one of the deepest parts of the ballpark in left center and went off the wall.

Juan Espinosa was sensational once again coming out of the bullpen in his 2-1/3 innings for Sonoma. Espinosa entered for Thurber in the seventh to get the final out and took Sonoma to the finish line to earn his second save of the season. Espinosa allowed only two hits and struck out three in his work out of the pen.

Thurber allowed four runs on eight hits for Sonoma in his 6-2/3 innings while striking out five.

Tuesday night, Sean Conroy did not just throw a complete game. He threw a 10-inning complete game to carry the Stompers to a 6-2 win over the Diamonds. The second-year pro threw 135 pitches with 90 strikes, allowing only six base runners while striking out eight in his masterpiece of a game. It’s the first 10-inning complete game.

“I told Mason (Morioka) before the game that my arm felt better today than it has all season. After that it was just about staying focused and hitting my spots. When the ball hit my leg, that gave me some extra adrenaline to finish off the game,” said Conroy.

Sonoma and Pittsburg remained tied going into the 10th, the second night in a row the two teams went to extra innings. Sonoma finally was able to break through with the hit they needed when Derrick Fox singled up the middle with runners at second and third to give Sonoma their first lead of the game at 4-2. Sonoma would add two more in the inning on a throwing error by catcher Tyler Nordgren to make it 6-2.

Bryson added his eighth home run of the season in the game, tying him with Brent Gillespie of San Rafael for the league lead.

Monday night, the Stompers and Diamonds battled to a 3-3 tie that was called after the ninth inning because of the fireworks over at the Gen. Vallejo Home. Because of the fireworks, no inning could start after 8:45 p.m.

Sonoma got out to a good start thanks to some offensive fireworks in the third. Daniel Baptista and Joel Carranza hit back-to-back home runs in the inning to put Sonoma on top, 2-1. It was the first time that Sonoma had gone back-to-back this season. It was Baptista’s second of the season, and Carranza’s sixth. Sonoma added another run in the fourth to make it 3-1. But that lead did not stand up.

Sonoma will be back in action Friday to begin a three game series at home facing the Vallejo Admirals. Sonoma has enjoyed great success against Vallejo this season as they have won every series they have played against them. Sonoma swept the Admirals the last time they visited People’s Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field.

The Stompers (18-14) remained tied for first place in the Pacific Association with the Pacifics as San Rafael bounced back with a 7-4 win against the Admirals in Vallejo.

Sonoma and Pittsburg will resume the opener of this past series that was suspended due to the fireworks display on July 12 in Sonoma. The game will resume in a 3-3 tie going into the top of the 10th inning. Sonoma has guaranteed a series win with two wins in Pittsburg and can complete a series sweep with a win in that game.

Tickets for upcoming Stompers home games can be purchased stomperbaseball.com. Fan merchandise, and tickets are also available inside The Fan Shop located at 234 W. Napa St. in downtown Sonoma.

For additional information contact the Stompers at info@stomperbaseball.com.