14/05/2018 1 Minute Read

Team Italy's Pat Venditte makes scoreless pitching debut for Los Angeles Dodgers

Azzurri ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte made a big splash for the Los Angeles Dodgers when making his much-anticipated debut in a relief appearance against the Cincinnati Reds at Chavez Ravine in Los Angeles on Saturday night, May 12, 2018

Azzurri ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte made a big splash for the Los Angeles Dodgers when making his much-anticipated debut in a relief appearance against the Cincinnati Reds at Chavez Ravine in Los Angeles on Saturday night, May 12, 2018. Through the darkness of transferring shortstop Corey Seager to the 60-day disabled list following his season-ending Tommy John surgery comes the light allowing Team Italy's Pat Venditte to be placed on the LA Dodgers 40-man roster.

Pat VenditteAfter signing a minor-league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on November 27, 2017, Pat Venditte made a strong case for a 2018 Opening Day roster spot during Cactus League Spring Training. The 32-year-old fan favorite was lights out in Arizona, where he appeared in more games than any Dodger pitcher (nine), threw more innings than any other Dodger reliever (10.1), and posted the lowest ERA (1.74) of any reliever who pitched more than eight innings this spring. The Omaha, Nebraska native allowed only two earned runs on seven hits, while walking three and striking out 13. Despite his remarkable statistics and stellar performance, he was the literally the last pitcher standing before the final roster cut and sent to Triple-A affiliate Oklahoma City Dodgers. While patiently waiting for his call-up to the Big Leagues, Pat Venditte made 15 relief appearances for the Oklahoma City Dodgers this season and went 2-0 with a 1.53 ERA. During his 17.2 innings of work, he struck out 19 hitters and limited his opponents to a .167 batting average.

Entering the game with the Los Angeles Dodgers trailing the Cincinnati Reds 5-3 in the top of the sixth inning with two out, Pat Venditte made his debut at Dodger Stadium on May 12, 2018. He pitched 1.1 innings of scoreless relief, striking out Jose Peraza and giving up just one hit. Dodger manager Dave Roberts was impressed with ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte. The skipper said, “He’s two pitchers in one.” Let's wish Team Italy switch-pitcher Pat Venditte twice the success he is used to this year with the LA Dodgers. Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen

by Roberto Angotti