Stompers give up only 3 hits, lose 3-1

When a pitching staff allows only three hits in a game, like the Stompers did on Wednesday, that team usually wins. On top of that, the Stompers pitchers allowed only one earned run against the rival San Rafael Pacifics. However, a few miscues defensively and a quiet offensive night led to a 3-1 loss.

A throwing error by Mason Morioka in the fifth proved to be a costly one as it led to two unearned runs in the inning, giving the Pacifics a 3-0 lead. Stompers starter Oliver Garcia also walked two batters in the inning to fuel the rally. The other run in the game came on a homer to left center by Jake Taylor in the fourth, his ninth of the season. Taylor went two-for-four with two runs driven in. Jourdan Weiks was the only other Pacifics batter who had a hit in the game.

Patrick Barnett went the distance for the Pacifics, allowing eight hits and no walks while striking out four.

Sonoma scored its only run in the sixth on an RBI single by Joel Carranza. Eddie Mora-Loera had another good night at the plate finishing two-for-three. Caleb Bryson also continued his success at the plate in the series with his second consecutive two-for-four performance.

Stomper newcomer Evan Neiser was fantastic with two perfect innings out of the pen, as his deceptive delivery helped keep the Pacifics off balance. Neiser signed with the Stompers after participating in the midseason tryout on July 23.

The comeback victory Tuesday seemed to give The Stompers a lot of momentum. Sonoma (27-23, 4-7 second half) also needs a win in Thursday’s game to stay within striking distance of the Pacifics (29-21, 8-4 second half) in the second half pennant race.

Tuesday, the Stompers found themselves in a 5-1 hole after the top of the fourth inning against a team that had given them a lot of trouble this season. A nervous hush fell over the ballpark as the Pacifics continued to pile on the runs and looked to be on their way to another win against the Stompers. But Sonoma found a way to flip the script Tuesday in an 8-6 win.

Bryson began the season as one of the strongest players in the Stompers order knocking the ball all over the park. However, he had come on tough times in recent weeks and saw some of his playing time diminish. He showed signs of turning things around with a single in his first at bat. When he came up in the fifth with Daniel Baptista on base. Bryson got a pitch on the inside and launched his ninth homer of the season over the leftfield bleachers.

Sonoma took a 6-5 lead on Bryson’s homer.

“I have to give credit to Baptista for getting on in front of me. I saw a different sequence of pitches with a runner on base. Conroy tried to jam me with a cutter on the inside and I was able to cover it. This was a great team win with everybody hitting through the order,” said Bryson.

Sonoma’s offense slugged 12 hits including homers by Bryson and Joel Carranza to erase the early four-run deficit.

But the difference maker in this game was the Stompers ability to take advantage of the Pacifics mistakes.

The Pacifics tied the game at 6 in the eighth inning on a solo home run by Michael McClellan. But the Stompers kept the pressure on the Pacifics in the bottom half of the inning by putting two runners aboard. With two outs, Yuki Yasuda hit a ball to centerfield. Zach Pace patrols center field for the Pacifics and is one of the Pacific Association’s best outfielders. But Pace misplayed the ball into a double. Both Stompers runners raced home and to give the Stompers an 8-6 lead.

Jose Flores came in and finished things off in the ninth to record his second save, and continued his success in his new late inning role. He has looked like a new pitcher since being moved to being the Stompers closer.

The Stompers-Pacifics battles continue this weekend at San Rafael’s Albert Field. Game time Friday is 7 p.m.; game time Saturday is 5 p.m. and the clubs end the series with a Sunday afternoon game at 1 p.m.

Tickets for upcoming Stompers home games are available on stompersbaseball.com. Fan gear, and tickets are also available at The Fan Shop located at 234 W. Napa St. in Sonoma. For more information, email info@stompersbaseball.com.