The Sonoma Stompers backed up a Pacific Association of Professional Baseball League home series win over the Vallejo Admirals last Sunday by out-pitching, out-hitting (11-3), and eventually defeating the visiting PAPB first-half champion San Rafael Pacifics 7-2 Tuesday night at Arnold Field.
Sonoma's Erik Gonsalves pitched seven solid innings for the win, yielding only three hits and two earned runs, while striking out four and walking three.
The Stompers were led offensively by Reid Chenworth's three-for-five, including two doubles and four RBIs; Steve Rinaudo's two-for-five with a double and an RBI; Joel Carranza's two-for-four with a run scored; Charlie Mirabal's double and run; Matt Hibbert's single, two runs and an RBI; Jayce Ray's single, RBI and run; Jaime Del Valle's single; and Matt Marquis T.J. Gavlik's run each.
Unfortunately, in Wednesday evening's clash at Arnold Field, Sonoma got another strong pitching performance, this one from Eric Schwieger, and again out-hit the Pacifics, but could muster only one run and ended up dropping a 3-1 decision.
In taking the loss, Schwieger threw an eight-inning three-hitter, striking out five, while walking just one, but two of the hits he yielded were homers to San Rafael's Maikel Jova and Eric Bainer.
The Stompers were paced by Andrew Parker's two-for-three; Hibbert's double and run; Chenworth's 15th double of the season; Ray's single and 28th RBI of the campaign; and Carranza and Gavlik's single apiece.
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With an oblique injury to their top closer Mike Jackson Jr., who was put on the seven-day disabled list that is retroactive to July 19, the Stompers signed Scott Thompson Garner, a recent Bethune-Cookman College graduate who is beginning his professional baseball career with Sonoma.
The 6-foot, 2-inch, 200-pound Garner, 22, is a ground-ball specialist and native of Port Orange, Florida, who was 20-15 in his four years with Bethune-Cookman, including a stellar freshman year in 2011 when he went 9-2 with a 2.48 ERA. He also made three appearances in the NCAA championships with the Wildcats.
In his 16 appearances with the Stompers, Jackson had a 5.28 ERA and notched eight saves as the team’s primary closer, last pitching for Sonoma on July 18, when he threw 1-2/3 scoreless innings against Vallejo.
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The Sonoma Stompers, who played visiting San Rafael last night – results not available at presstime – will host the Pacifics at 7:05 p.m. tonight and at 5:05 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, July 26, under the Arnold Field lights.
Game and season tickets for Sonoma Stompers’ home games at Arnold Field can be purchased at stompersbaseball.com or eventbrite.com/e/2014-sonoma-stompers-season-tickets-33-home-games-tickets-11232656177.
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