Arenas Named TL Pitcher Of The Week

North Little Rock - Arkansas Travelers pitcher Orangel Arenas has been named Texas League Pitcher of the Week for the period May 16 through May 22. In a week filled with outstanding starting pitching in the Travs rotation, Arenas turned in one dominating performance pitching 8.2 innings in a 3-0 shutout over Springfield on Wednesday, May 18. The 22-year old right hander becomes the first 2011 Traveler to win a TL weekly award.

Any one of four Travs starting pitchers could have easily earned the award as both Arenas and Garrett Richards took shutouts through eight innings, while Matt Shoemaker dealt a six-hit, two-run nine-inning complete game and Trevor Reckling tossed a two hitter over a seven-inning shutout.

Arenas baffled the Cardinals with his heavy sinker inducing 16 groundouts and he helped out all across the infield with four assists and two putouts. The native of Mariguitar, Venezuela limited Springfield to two singles through seven innings, then pitched around a leadoff single in the eighth inning by inducing his second double play. Given the chance to complete his first shutout, Arenas retired the first two batters of the ninth inning before issuing a walk then giving up a single bringing the potential tying run to the plate. Matt Meyer relieved and struck out the last batter to preserve the 3-0 win.

Arenas currently ranks tied for third in the TL in wins with a 5-1 record and the sixth-best ERA at 3.59.