The Magic Number is 10
Published on September 3, 2010 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
When the 2010 season began, Ryan Edell was a member of the Cleveland Indians organization. Friday night in San Antonio, he became a 10-game winner for the RockHounds, and that 10th win sent the RockHounds back to the Texas League playoffs.
Released by Cleveland, Ryan signed with the Oakland A's and was assigned to the RockHounds in mid-May. In 21 appearances (20 starts), he has now become one of the league's top 10 pitchers (10-4, 3.17).
Friday's game "line" was simple: A RockHounds win and the club clinched a playoff spot. A San Antonio win would keep the Missions very much alive in the race.
Matt Clark hit a 2-run home run, his 26th of the season, off Edell in the last of the 1st, and the Missions took a 2-0 lead.
Alex Valdez, Archie Gilbert, Josh Horton and Matt Sulentic singled in the 2nd, with Sulentic's hit bringing in two runs to tie the game. Valdez then ripped a solo home run with two out in the 3rd, a swing that would be the game-winner. Gilbert singled, stole second (his 28th steal) and scored on Val Majewski's single in the 6th to close the scoring.
After Clark's home run, Edell was nearly perfect, allowing just one more hit and one walk through the top pf the 7th.
Dan Sattler struggled, walking two batters to open th last of the 8th, but Derrick Gordon came on to get three consecutive outs, including two strikeouts, to end the threat.
In the 9th, Neil Wagner earned his first save with a 1-2-3 inning, aided by back-to-back outstanding defensive plays by second baseman J.C. Holt, one on a one-hop rocket from Clark.
The win puts the RockHounds in the playoffs for the second consecutive season under Darren Bush.
The RockHounds now return to Citibank Ballpark for a 3-game Labor Day weekend series against Frisco, a series which will decide the second half pennant race.
The pennant race & deja vu: As they did a year ago, the RockHounds need one win in a quick, 3-game series with the Frisco RoughRiders to capture the second half pennant. If Frisco sweeps the series, and both half-seasons pennants, they would gain home field advantage in a potential game 5 of the South Division Championship Series. If the RockHounds win the second half, they would host games 3, 4 and 5 (as needed).
Texas League Stories from September 3, 2010
- Drillers Do It Again! - Tulsa Drillers
- The Magic Number is 10 - Midland RockHounds
- Naturals broom Travelers out of town - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Cardinals Squander Late Lead, Lose 4-2 - Springfield Cardinals
- Missions Extend PDC Agreement with Padres through 2012 - San Antonio Missions
- One Step Closer - Midland RockHounds
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