The Blues Shutout the Stompers for the Second Time This Season

By: Julianne Shivers/SLO Blues

San Luis Obispo, Ca. – The Blues make it ten wins in a row as they defeat the Stompers 2-0 in their return to Sinsheimer after a week long road trip.

Once again, the Blues pitching staff stole the show. Connor Mendez, Bryce Padilla, and Mikey Rodriguez combined for the team's second shutout of the season and their second shutout against the Stompers. The Blues arms continue to dominate as they roll through the season.

Mendez was the story of the night. The winning pitcher tossed five perfect innings, striking out 11 batters and not allowing a single baserunner. He struck out the side three times and delivered one of the best outings by a Blues pitcher this season.

When asked what was working best for him, Mendez credited his new teammates.

"I wouldn't say just one pitch," Mendez said. "Obviously it's just my first day here, and I'm trying to get to know the guys and give them the best chance to win."

Mendez also spoke about the atmosphere after arriving from a Power Four Division I program.

"The fans showed out, which was really cool," Mendez said. "This is definitely a hometown community, and it's awesome to see."

The Blues offense provided insurance in the eighth inning when eight batters came to the plate and produced four hits and two runs. Brendan Comerford had a productive night, going 1-for-2 with a walk, an RBI, and a hit-by-pitch.

The Blues will face the Stompers in Game 2 of the series and for the final time during the regular season on Wednesday, June 17. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Sinsheimer Stadium in San Luis Obispo, California. 

Play-by-play

1 | Oregon State pitcher Connor Mendez was the starter for the Blues in his first appearance on the mound. He made quite the statement on his first day in SLO striking out the side. The Stompers went down in order, Chase Taylor, Tino Vassel, and Hunter Carlson. Jake Andreas (0-2) was on the mound for the Stompers in his second appearance. Cesar Chavez and Kutter-Gage Webb were the first two batters for the Blues both striking out looking. Brendan Comerford was hit-by-pitch and stole a base. Miles Mador in the cleanup spot struck out to end the inning.

2 | Mendez continued to impress in his second inning of work. In his second inning he strikes out the side for the second time. Wesley Bass in his first appearance as a Stomper, Misael Uriepero, and Trent Keys all went down in order. Andreas showed out for the Stompers as well striking out the side in his inning of work. Kosei Suzuki, CJ Moran. And Mason Ashlock all came to the plate and all went down.

3 | It was a 1-2-3 inning for Mendez striking out one making his count seven K's in three innings. Angel Garcia grounded out to Comerford, Conner Johnston struck out, and Bryson Ayala grounded out to second. Andreas went 1-2-3 in his inning of his work as well. Brady Alves, Dom Najar, and Chavez all came to the plate for the Blues. Alves struck out, Najar popped up to short, and Chavez grounded out to short. In 50 minutes the first three innings came to an end.

4 | Mendez continues to deal with another 1-2-3 inning. Taylor grounded out to third, Vassel flew out to left, and Carlson lost a 12 pitch battle going down swinging. Webb was the first Blue at the plate to face Andreas. Webb flew out to shallow left. Comerford made it to first for the second time on the night drawing a walk. Mador popped up to third. Suzuki was the first player to collect a hit on the night hitting a single to center. Comerford was able to advance to second and then third on an error on the throw from center. Suzuki was able to get to second on that same error. Moran ended the inning before any damage was done with a pop up to second. 

5 | The top of the fifth saw another beautiful inning of work with Mendez striking out the side for the third time. Bass, Uriepero, and Keys all came to the plate and all struck out for a similar sight to the second inning. Alec Murray entered the game for the Stompers in the fifth. The Fair Oaks, California native faced five batters and allowed one run on two hits and one strikeout. Ashlock was the first batter faced, singling up the middle. Alves reached on a fielder's choice hitting one to second and the Stomper getting the lead runner, Ashlock, at second. Najar hit a single up the middle to advance Alves to third. Chavez hit a sac fly to right, scoring Alves and finally giving the Blues a run. Webb ended the inning with a strikeout.

6 | Bryce Padilla entered for the Blues in the sixth. The first batter he faced was Garcia who was able to draw a walk. Johnston flew out to left. Ayala had the Stompers first hit of the game with a shot straight at Alves who couldn't get it fielded in time. Taylor walked to load the bases for the first true threat by the Stompers on the night. Vassel struck out. Carlson with the bases loaded ended the inning for the Stompers with a high fly ball to Najar in left. Comerford led off for the Blues facing Murray. Comerford struck out in his at bat. Miles Mador was the story of this inning for the Blues with a home run 104 off the bat that went 394 feet to left. The next two outs of the inning came by way of strikeouts.Suzuki and Moran both came to the plate and both struck out. 

7 | Padilla stayed in the game for the Blues. It was another scoreless inning with Padilla facing only four Stompers. Bass came to the plate and struck out. Uriepero flew out to left. Keys got on base taking a pitch to the foot. Garcia ended the inning for the Stompers striking out. Ashlock led off for the Blues in the bottom of the seventh. He hit a single into right-center that he tried to stretch into a double but was tagged out at second for the first out of the inning. Alves popped up to first and Najar flew out deep to left field to end the inning. Najar was just shy of a dinger with Taylor standing on the warning track making his catch.

8 | There was a new arm for the Blues in the eighth. Mikey Rodriguez entered the game after only three innings of work on the summer. Pinch hitter Ryland Heckman was the first batter he faced, Heckman drew a walk. Ayala struck out for the first out of the inning. Taylor flew out to Suzuki in right with a soft liner. Gage McCowen was the new arm for the Stompers in the eighth. Chavez led off drawing a walk. Webb hit a single into center to advance Chavez to third. Comerford hit an RBI single into right to score Chavez. Webb was able to score on a fielder's choice with Mador grounding out to short. Suzuki grounded out to short, scoring Comerford. Moran got on base thanks to a catcher's interference. Ashlock drew a walk but was tagged out at third after Alves hit a single into center.

9 | The last inning went by quick with Rodriguez facing four batters. Carlson and pinch hitter Ben Sebastiani struck out. Uriepero reached base taking a pitch to the helmet. Keys ended the game for the Stompers striking out.