By: Dave Grant
SONOMA, Calif. – The Admirals left the bases loaded twice in the first three innings and were unable to capitalize and fell to Sonoma, 5-1 at People’s Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field on Friday night. For the second time this season, the Admirals have dropped five games in a row and slipped to 8-23 this season, while Sonoma improved to a Pacific Association-best 23-8 overall.
Dinelli departed with two outs in the fourth inning after losing his footing on the mound, aggravating his left hip. Eli Garcia was forced into action quickly and was unable to find a groove – allowing three hits and walking four batters in only two-thirds of an inning – as Sonoma took control with a pair of runs after being held scoreless by Dinelli. Two of Garcia’s walks forced in a pair of runs for the Stompers.
Sonoma added to their lead in the fifth after a two-run double by Joel Carranza and RBI single from Isaac Wenrich to give the Stompers a 5-0 lead.
Vallejo scratched across their first run with two outs in the seventh after an RBI double by Chris Fornaci brought in Ryan Rodriguez.
Through the first six innings, the Admirals left 11 runners on base, including the bases loaded in both the first and third innings.
Vallejo were retired in order in the eighth before Mahlik Jones made his professional debut for the Admirals, striking out one and allowing a hit in an inning of relief. In the ninth, the Admirals were unable to get anything going against Sonoma reliever Jacob Cox and fell, 5-1. For the third game in a row, the Admirals out-hit their opponent but lost.
Sonoma starter Mike Jackson, Jr. improved to 2-1 this season after six shutout innings and only five hits. Jackson, Jr. struck out nine and walked four.
Vallejo starter David Dinelli suffered the loss after only 3.2 innings, allowing one hit and two runs while striking out three and walking two.
Saturday’s second game of the series with the Stompers is scheduled for 5 p.m. PT Saturday at People’s Home Equity Ballpark at Arnold Field in Sonoma. The pregame begins at 4:45 p.m. on the Admirals Baseball Network with Dave Grant and Tim Fitzgerald. Be sure to follow the Admirals on social media, including Twitter (@VallejoAdmirals).
NOTES: Tillman Pugh extended his on-base streak to 16 games after he reached on an error in the fourth inning … Pugh also stole his 11th base of the season and is now two behind team-leader Chevy Clarke … Fornaci extended his on-base streak to six games with double in the fifth.
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