Despite losing Sunday, the Sonoma Stompers still won a weekend series against the San Rafael Pacifics.
Sunday, the Pacifics tied and won the game, 7-6, in the bottom of the ninth. It was the third time in the series that the score became knotted in the ninth inning. The Stompers won Friday and Saturday in extra-inning endeavors.
Starter Taylor Thurber was solid on the mound, retiring the side in order four times and beginning the game by sending seven straight Pacifics back to the dugout. In 7.1 innings, Thurber struck out nine and didn’t walk anyone.
Thurber’s offense gave him a five-run lead to work with, thanks to a second-inning rally that featured four straight base hits off of San Rafael starter Dakota Freese.
Thurber’s only blemishes came by way of the long ball. The Pacifics scored four runs on three pitches ¬- two solo home runs from Miles Williams and a two-run shot from Juan Herrera.
Jake Taylor also went yard in the eighth, finishing a wave of three home runs in the frame, making the score 6-5 and putting the Pacifics within crashing distance.
Marcus Bradley was the firestarter on offense Sunday, going three-for-three with a walk and two runs batted. Derrick Fox also delivered an RBI and two hits as all but one Stomper reached base in the game.
Saturday, the Stompers came from behind to win 7-4 in extra-innings night as starter Tyler Garkow twirled a no-hitter against through 6.2 innings.
“That was actually the first time I’ve gone into the sixth inning perfect and seventh with a no-hitter,” Garkow said. “Thought I could have done something special tonight, but you know what, I’m still getting better and this was just a product of a good work week.”
Until first baseman Jake Taylor dropped a bloop single into right field for the Pacific’s first hit of the night, a walk in the sixth was San Rafael’s only baserunner.
“We stuck to a game plan today. Garkow, he battled,” said catcher Isaac Wenrich. “He didn’t have his best stuff but the results spoke for themselves. He did an unbelievable job.”
The Stompers are now 9-1 on the season in extra-inning games, also taking the victory in extras on Friday. In eight extra-inning games this season, the Pacifics have not recorded a win.
Friday, Sonoma pulled off its second comeback victory in two days with a 9-4, extra-inning win over the Pacifics.
“When our backs are against the wall our true talent comes out,” said right fielder Marcus Bradley.
Down to their last two outs and trailing by one run in the top of the ninth, Bradley knocked in the Stompers’ tying run.
The Sonoma offense shored up the clutch effort, dousing the Pacifics with six runs in the top of the 10th. After hitting a solo home run in the first, Joel Carranza also knocked in one of the Stompers’ 10th-inning runs. Carranza and Bradley both finished the night with multi-hit games and a pair of RBIs apiece.
After winning two of three over the weekend, the Stompers are 40-17 overall and sit at first place with a 12-6 second-half record, while the Pacifics are 24-33 overall and 7-11 in the second half.
The Stompers open a six-game home-stand at Arnold Field tonight, Tuesday. The Vallejo Admirals are in town today, Wednesday and Thursday while the Pittsburg Diamonds came to town for a weekend series Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Game time for all six games is 6 p.m.
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