NILES, Ohio - Now it's a pennant race.

The Pinckney Division-leading Auburn Doubledays hadn't played second-place Mahoning Valley since July 3. Now with less than 20 games left in the season, the four games the Doubledays play against the Scrappers over the next week mean a lot.

The Scrappers took the first with a 7-2 win over Auburn on Tuesday night, cutting the Doubledays' division lead to 2.5 games.

Mahoning Valley led 7-0 going into the ninth before Auburn picked up two runs on CJ Ebarb's double.

The Scrappers struck Auburn starter Chi-Hung Cheng (0-1) for two in the first.

Mahoning Valley broke it open in the fifth with four runs against Auburn's bullpen. Alex Castillo singled in a pair off reliever John Tritz. Drew Taylor replaced Tritz and pitched to three batters, allowing two RBI-scoring singles and a walk.

Javier Nieves got out of the inning but not before allowing the fourth run of the inning. He also gave up a single run in the sixth.

Mahoning Valley starter Kelvin De La Cruz (2-2) pitched 5 2/3 innings of three-hit ball, striking out three and walking three.

Auburn will look to earn a split tonight before returning home Thursday for a doubleheader against Williamsport scheduled to start at 6 p.m.

D-days Today

Record: 34-24

Standings: First place, 2.5-game lead

Streak: 1 loss

Next: at Mahoning Valley, today, 7 p.m.