With a chance to take the first-half championship of the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball League season, the Sonoma Stompers stumbled twice on the PAPB road.
In Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon’s first two games of the three-game series at Albert Field in San Rafael, Sonoma was nipped 5-4 and edged 7-5, respectively, by the Pacifics.
The Stompers open their third home-stand of the season tonight when they host the Vallejo Admirals at 7:05 p.m. under the Arnold Field lights, with the three-game series continuing at 5 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, July 19, and at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 20.
Sonoma will then host the San Rafael Pacifics in a three-game series at Arnold Field starting at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, July 22.
In last Tuesday’s one-run road loss to the Pacifics, the Stompers out-hit San Rafael 14-12, but they stranded 11 runners on the bags, which proved to be their downfall.
Sonoma was paced by Jaime Del Valle's three-for-four with one run scored; Glenn Walker's three-for-five; Joel Carranza's two-for-five, including a home run, an RBI and a run; Reid Chenworth's two-for-three with a run; Matt Hibbert's double and three RBIs; Steve Rinaudo's single and run; and Jayce Ray and Marshall McDonald's single each.
On Wednesday, the Stompers had pulled off a rare 5-4-3 triple play and had a 5-4 lead going into the bottom of the eighth inning when San Rafael pulled off a three-run rally that secured the two-run win.
Sonoma’s triple play started with Pacifics’ runners on first and second and third-baseman Rinaudo fielded a hard hit ground ball, stepped on third for one out, then threw to second-baseman T.J. Gavlik for two, who relayed his throw to first-baseman Carranza to complete the fete.
Pacing Sonoma in the loss were Del Valle's two-for-five, including a double and three RBIs; Ray’s two-for-three with a double and two runs; Chenworth's two-for-four with an RBI; Matt Marquis’ two-for-four; Rinaudo’s single and run; Carranza’s single; Gavlik’s RBI; and Hibbert’s run.
Tonight’s home-stand opener against the Admirals is Sonoma’s “Faithful Friday” and fans that wear their Stompers’ gear can get an $8 grandstand ticket, which is a 20-percent savings, at the Arnold Field box office while supplies last.
Saturday is the second “Let’s be Mary Saturday” of 2014, with fans who bring their Stompers ticket dated Sat. July 19, will get 10-percent off their Mary’s Pizza Shack order at Boyes Hot Springs and Mary’s on the Sonoma Plaza.
Every Sunday at Arnold Field is “Kids Run the Show Day,” presented by Grandma Linda’s Ice Crime, with on-field games; one boy or girl getting to announce the Stompers batters for an inning; and nine kids get to take the field with the Stompers to start the game. The stompers will also raffle off a signed baseball to one of the kids.
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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