Ventura Returns Home to Lead WhiteWings to Victory

Published on June 23, 2012 under North American League (NAmL)
Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings News Release


HARLINGEN- Leivi Ventura returned to Rio Grande Valley by driving in the winning runs in a 5-2 WhiteWings triumph against the McAllen Thunder Saturday night.

Ventura, who led Rio Grande Valley in home runs last year with 20, had started the season in the American Association playing for the Lincoln Saltdogs.

But earlier this week, the WhiteWings (18-11) traded three players to be named at the end of the year to Lincoln to reacquire Ventura, who started his first game of the season for Rio Grande Valley last night batting fourth and playing third base.

Down 2-1 with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the fifth inning, Ventura, batting against starting pitcher Demetrius Banks (2-1), hit a line drive off the glove of second baseman Michael Lewis to drive in Bryan Marquez and Francisco Santana and give the WhiteWings the lead they never relinquished.

"I was waiting fastball on the first pitch. I hit it real hard and I don't know how [Lewis] missed it," Ventura said.

"I'm ready. I've had a couple of weeks where I've just practiced." Ventura last played for the Saltdogs on June 8.

To make space for Ventura in the lineup, Rio Grande Valley traded Miguel Alfonso to McAllen (9-21) prior to the game for a player to be named after the season ends. Alfonso responded by driving a ball past Ventura for a double to drive in catcher Gianison Rosa and give McAllen a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning off starting pitcher Luis Chirinos. Ventura had played in every game previously this season as the WhiteWings' designated hitter and is currently hitting .290 after a two year layoff from professional baseball.

But Chirinos (4-1) settled down to retire 10 of the final 11 hitters he faced in a seven inning start to earn the victory.

Rio Grande Valley added a single run in the sixth inning when Santana singled home catcher Mario Mercedes and another in the seventh to close out the scoring when Ruddy Yan doubled to left, stole third, and then scored on first baseman Juan Fuentes' opposite field single.

Nick Lezendorf retired the Thunder in order to earn his first professional save.

The WhiteWings, who lead Ft. Worth by two games in the North American League's South Division, host McAllen for the third game of their four game series tonight at 6:05 p.m.

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North American League Stories from June 23, 2012


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