Hellweg Takes Tough Luck Loss at NWA
Published on June 22, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release
Springdale, Arkansas - Chris Dwyer and two relievers combined on a three-hitter as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals opened a four-game series with a 1-0 victory over the Arkansas Travelers on Friday night at Arvest Ballpark. On a night where Johnny Hellweg (2-7) put together a fine performance, Dwyer (5-6) outdid him with seven scoreless innings of work. Dwyer allowed just two base hits and no walks, while striking out seven to earn his second win in a row.
With the loss the Travs drop to 1-1 in the second half and 8-9 against the Naturals. The Naturals have won 8 of 9 meetings from the Travs at Arvest Ballpark and are 2-1 in the second half.
Both Hellweg and Dwyer were on from the start, although the Travs had a chance in the first inning when Renny Osuna singled and stole second base. Dwyer got Jean Segura to ground out before Roberto Lopez flied to center to end the inning.
Dwyer was on a string of nine straight outs when Segura hit a high chopper over third base for a double in the fourth inning. Once again Dwyer buckled down and got Lopez to fly to left field before Ryan Mount was caught looking. It would be the last inning where the Travs had a runner to second base.
Hellweg allowed no runner past first base until issuing back-to-back walks in the fifth inning. However Yem Prades hit a single to begin the seventh inning and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Rey Navarro. After Brian Fletcher's groundout moved Prades to third base, Hellweg met briefly with catcher Jose Jimenez. The next pitch sailed all the way to the backstop net allowing Prades to score standing up for the game's only run.
Hellweg finished the seventh with five strikeouts, three walks and just two hits against him. It was his fourth consecutive losing decision, games where he's been given a total of three runs of support.
The only Travs batter to reach against Dwyer in his last three innings was Jimmy Swift on a dropped third strike in the fifth inning. Dwyer set down the last seven batters he faced. Jon Keck pitched the eighth inning and allowed an infield single to Swift, but picked him off to end the eighth.
Patrick Keating worked a perfect ninth inning for the save.
Time of game was 2:23 and the paid attendance was 6,307.
Texas League Stories from June 22, 2012
- Drillers out Blast and Outlast Cards - Tulsa Drillers
- Frisco Falls 13-7 in Series Opener - Frisco RoughRiders
- Cardinals Fall to Drillers 8-4 - Springfield Cardinals
- Hellweg Takes Tough Luck Loss at NWA - Arkansas Travelers
- Dwyer Dominant Again - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
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