Stompers take series from San Rafael

Erik Gonsalves turned in the second stellar pitching performance by a Sonoma Stompers hurler in in as many nights, winning a 3-0 pitchers duel against the Pacifics Thursday night at Albert Park in San Rafael.

Gonsalves etched seven shutout innings, allowing just four hits and two walks. He pitched in and out of trouble numerous times however, as he stranded runners in scoring position five times.

Pacifics’ starting pitcher Mike DeBarr (0-1) nearly matched Gonsalves as he pitched seven innings, allowing just one unearned run.

The Stompers lost on Opening Night, 5-4, then took Wednesday’s game 4-2.

Thursday night, Stompers first baseman Joel Caranza put the Stompers on the board in the first inning by scalding a groundball towards Pacifics third baseman, Simon Correa. With Matt Marquis aboard at second base, the ball kicked off of Correa’s body and into the outfield, allowing Marquis to score. It was the third time in as many games that the Stompers (2-1) scored first.

The biggest threat by the Pacifics (1-2) came in the fourth inning when Mike Orefice led off with a single, then Johnny Woodard followed with a walk. The runners advanced to second and third on a Matt Kavanau groundout, but Gonsalves retired Pacifics’ Zack Pace and Chase Fontaine to end the frame.

“When stuff happens behind me I try to not let it affect the way I think and do stuff on the mound,” Gonzalves said. “I really just tried to shake it off.”

Shake it off Gonsalves did, as he retired nine-consecutive batters after the fourth-inning jam.

Daniel Castillo, Yuki Sakama and Mike Jackson Jr. combined for two shutout innings of relief, Jackson picking up his second save of the season.

The Stompers added two insurance runs in the eighth inning when with two outs and nobody on former Giants prospect Chuck Lofgren lost the strike zone. He walked Kyle

Jones, hit Aritz Garcia, walked Reid Chenworth, and then walked Gary Stauff, forcing in a run. Second baseman Derrick Fox followed with a single through the left side that drove in Garcia. Chenworth was cut down at home plate by left fielder Fontaine trying to score on the play.

Garcia reached base four times, collecting two singles, a walk, and was hit by a pitch. He also stole his first base of the season.

— Stompersbaseball.com. Photo Credit/Stompers Baseball