Hellweg Bests Ventura as Sounds Beat Storm Chasers

June 11, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release

Nashville, TN - Johnny Hellweg was strong through seven innings and got the better of a highly-anticipated prospect pitching matchup as Nashville downed Omaha, 5-2, Tuesday night in the second of a four-game set at Greer Stadium. The Storm Chasers dipped to 28-34 and fell four games behind Memphis in the American Conference North Division after the Redbirds swept a doubleheader from New Orleans.

The Sounds took the early lead for a second straight night with four runs in the second inning against Omaha's Yordano Ventura, who had retired the side in turn in the first. Blake Lalli dented the hard-throwing right-hander for a three-run homer and Hainley Statia added a two-out RBI hit to stake the hosts to a 4-0 advantage.

The Storm Chasers finally got on the board in the fifth when Brett Hayes singled, moved to second base after Willy Taveras was hit by a pitch, advanced to third on a fielder's choice grounder by Jarrod Dyson then scored on an errant pickoff attempt at first base. Hellweg was able to strand Dyson at third after Christian Colon lined out to right field and Johnny Giavotella struck out to end the frame.

Josh Prince singled in a run with two outs in the fifth to extend the Sounds lead to 5-1 and end the night for Ventura, who suffered the loss after he allowed eight hits, walked two and fanned five in his second Triple-A start. George Sherrill and Brian Sanches then combined to set down all 10 hitters they encountered to continue the bullpen's recent run of success that has stretched to 26 1/3 innings during which it has allowed only one earned run.

Irving Falu started the seventh with his first home run of the season to trim the deficit to the final margin before Hellweg, the 6'-9" right-hander, set down the next three hitters to close his performance during which he yielded six hits, walked two and struck out a pair to earn his sixth win. Kyle Heckathorn worked a scoreless eighth inning in front of Rob Wooten, who retired the side in order in the ninth to register his 11th save.

The series continues Wednesday night with Omaha left-hander Justin Marks getting the starting nod against Nashville right-hander Jimmy Nelson. Coverage of the game gets underway at 6:45 pm and can be heard locally on 1180 Zone 2 The Deuce and online at omahastormchasers.com.

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