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Yordano Ventura named Pitcher of the Week

Ventura becomes 13th Natural to win award
May 13, 2013

SPRINGDALE, AR- Yordano Ventura has been selected as the Texas League Pitcher of the Week for the week of May 6-12, Texas League President Tom Kayser announced Monday. 

Ventura went 1-0 in two appearances over the past week. In his first outing, May 6, against the Arkansas Travelers, he struck out 10 batters for the second straight game in a 6-1 Naturals victory. Ventura recorded one strikeout in all but one inning and struck out the side in the fourth inning as he allowed two hits in six shutout innings.

Ventura's second appearance of the week came on May 11 against the Springfield Cardinals. He struck out four batters and allowed two hits in five innings in a 5-4, 20-inning Naturals victory. Ventura hasn't allowed a run in his last three starts, scattering five hits and eight walks with 24 strikeouts in 16 innings.

Anthony Aliotti of the Midland RockHounds was named as the Player of the Week for the Texas League this week.

Ventura is the 13th Naturals pitcher to win the award and the first since Ethan Hollingsworth claimed the honor during the week of July 30-August 5 of last season. 13 Naturals pitchers have won the Texas League Pitcher of the Week Award 14 times, with Blake Wood earning the award for the week of June 2-9 and August 25-September 1. Ventura joins Brett Eibner as Naturals who have won weekly honors this season. Eibner was named the Player of the Week for the week of April 15-21.

Ventura was signed by the Kansas City Royals as a non-drafted free agent on October 8, 2008. The 21-year-old is a native of Samana, Dominican Republic. This spring, Ventura was a non-roster invitee to Spring Training.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and proud host of the 77th Annual Texas League All Star Game. The Naturals play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, AR. For more information including statistics, ticket options, and more, please visit NWANaturals.com, and follow us on Twitter @NWANaturals and Facebook.com/Naturals.