Joey Gallo's two-run homer off Josh Hader in the top of the 7th erased a 5-0 deficit and 6th-seeded Hillsborough held off No. 3 Tucson for a 7-5 win in Game 1 of their 1st round series.
After 161 games, including a 16-game losing streak, Hopatcong still sits at the top of the Bonds Division. Yet, it's still the lone undecided playoff seed because that lead is just 1/2 game with one game to play.
Heading into his next start in Sunday's doubleheader action, Justin Verlander now stands 3rd all time in strikeouts and has moved into the top 10 this season in most every major pitching category.
Sardine City's Lance Lynn became the season's first 20-game winner with a 12-strikeout gem at Tucson on Monday night. He's the DMBL's first 20-game winner since Hopatcong's Stephen Strasburg went 20-3 in 2018.
Hillsborough has been leading the league in home runs all season and with less than 30 games remaining, the Hit Men are within striking distance of breaking the record for team home runs in a season.