Entity field query issue to correctly sorting my results
I can't make Molot's comment an answer, but I'll post one for posterity (and to close out this question). 

The issue involves your data field type, integer vs. string. When the field is a string, sorting in SQL query will place the rows in lexicographic order, where the first character value is given precedence. When the field is an integer, sorting in SQL query will place the rows in numeric order, where the entire value of the number is used.