FARGO, N.D. - Former North Dakota State University closer Neil Wagner was called up by the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday, Aug. 30.  He is the first big-leaguer in program history.

Wagner, a 27-year-old right-hander from Eden Prairie, Minn., was 2-1 with a 3.10 ERA in 22 games for Triple-A Sacramento this summer.  He struck out 34 batters with only 10 walks in 29 innings of work.

Wagner began the season with Double-A affiliate Midland, where he was 1-3 with a 3.38 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 37 1/3 innings.  He is averaging 11.80 strikeouts per nine innings this year.

Originally drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 21st round of the 2005 draft, he was traded to the A's for cash May 14, 2010.

This is Wagner's sixth season in professional baseball.  He is 15-23 with 44 saves and a 3.47 ERA in 266 career appearances.  He has 425 strikeouts in 362 2/3 innings and has surrendered only 14 home runs.

Wagner played three seasons for North Dakota State from 2003 to 2005 going 11-4 overall with a 4.70 ERA.  He set school records for saves in a season (12) and career (18).

Wagner's Career Statistics at North Dakota State


Year       ERA   W-L   App  GS  CG SHO/CBO  SV    IP    H    R   ER   BB   SO


2003....  4.94   4-2    13   3   0   0/2     3  31.0   25   20   17   27   26


2004....  1.40   6-0    28   0   0   0/1    12  38.2   25    8    6   16   59


2005....  8.07   1-2    22   3   0   0/0     3  35.2   35   33   32   30   35


TOTAL...  4.70  11-4    63   6   0   0/3    18 105.1   85   61   55   73  120