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Published on: 9/11/2008
Last Visited: 9/11/2008
So far, top honors could be split among three players: Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner, Aeros right fielder Bronson Sardinha and relief pitcher Neil Wagner.
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As for Wagner, the right-hander didn't even join the Aeros until he was promoted from Class-A Kinston Aug. 15 to make his Double-A debut.But his work in the short time with the Aeros have been invaluable.
Aeros pitching coach Tony Arnold has told folks all week he doesn't believe the Aeros would even be in the championship round without Wagner.He made his first postseason appearance in Bowie in the second game of the series, providing the Aeros with three innings of shutout relief that gave them the time they needed to regroup and secure an extra-innings victory.
Wagner's next appearance came in Game 1 of the Championship Series on Tuesday.He tossed two shutout innings to help keep the Aeros in the game before falling 3-1 to Trenton.
Then with the Aeros unable to find someone, anyone, who could keep the Thunder from chipping away at their lead in the eighth inning of Game 2 Thursday, Wagner was reluctantly summoned from the bullpen.He proved pitching in back-to-back games was no problem as he quickly coaxed the Thunder into the crucial final out to earn the win.
...
So far, top honors could be split among three players: Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner, Aeros right fielder Bronson Sardinha and relief pitcher Neil Wagner.
...
As for Wagner, the right-hander didn't even join the Aeros until he was promoted from Class-A Kinston Aug. 15 to make his Double-A debut.But his work in the short time with the Aeros have been invaluable.
Aeros pitching coach Tony Arnold has told folks all week he doesn't believe the Aeros would even be in the championship round without Wagner.He made his first postseason appearance in Bowie in the second game of the series, providing the Aeros with three innings of shutout relief that gave them the time they needed to regroup and secure an extra-innings victory.
Wagner's next appearance came in Game 1 of the Championship Series on Tuesday.He tossed two shutout innings to help keep the Aeros in the game before falling 3-1 to Trenton.
Then with the Aeros unable to find someone, anyone, who could keep the Thunder from chipping away at their lead in the eighth inning of Game 2 Thursday, Wagner was reluctantly summoned from the bullpen.He proved pitching in back-to-back games was no problem as he quickly coaxed the Thunder into the crucial final out to earn the win.