Incredible rally gives Knights 7-6 win over Gems.

Nick Torres (pictured) had four hits and an RBI and the Knights scored five runs with two outs in the top of the ninth to shock the Gems and put a serious crimp in their playoff hopes.

Corvallis (31-21 WCL, 36-21 overall) trailed 6-2 starting the ninth before mounting its improbable comeback. It was aided by two wild pitches and an error as the Gems' collapsed defensively.

Catcher Chris Rabago reached first on third-strike wild pitch to lead off. But reliever Nathan Bunch retired the next two hitters and the Gems were one out away from what would have been a crucial victory.

However, shortstop Nate Roberts doubled to drive home Rabago to trim the lead to 6-3. Second baseman Marc Gallegos singled to score Roberts to make it 6-4, and third baseman Caleb Whalen singled to move Gallegos to second.

Torres, who led the Knights with four hits, then singled home Gallegos to bring the Knights within 6-5. Whalen stopped at second but both runners moved up on a wild pitch by reliever Brian Clough with pinch-hitter Greg Mahle at bat.

Whalen and Torres then sprinted home with the tying and go-ahead runs when catcher Chris Barnett dropped a third-strike pitch to Mahle and then threw wildly attempting to retire him at first base.

Knights' closer Taylor Starr gave up two hits and had a wild pitch in the ninth. But he fanned Connor George for the final out, stranding Gems at second and third.

Corvallis has won six games in a row and 8 of its last 9 to build a six-game lead in the West Division. It is 10-1 in its last 11 games overall, including two wins over the WCL Portland Toros.

The stunned Gems (25-27) dropped into a second-place tie with Cowlitz (25-27) in their battle for the West Division's second and final playoff spot. The runner-up will join the top-seeded Knights in the best-of-3 postseason series, which starts this weekend.

Klamath Falls roughed up Corvallis starter Max Beatty for four runs on four straight two-out hits in the second inning. It scored again in the third to build a 5-0 lead, and once more in the sixth for a 6-1 edge before the Knights rallied.

The Knights rested starters Mahle, Dane Lund and Connor Hofmann one night after clinching their sixth-straight division title.

Roberts singled, doubled and drove in two and Gallegos singled twice, scored twice and drove in a run for the Knights.

Game 3 in the series is at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday. Lefty Antonio Gonzales (0-0, 3.00) of UC Riverside will start for the Knights, opposed by Albany native Jeremy Burright (1-5, 3.06), a right-hander from Portland.

The West Division playoffs are scheduled to start on Saturday. However, if the Knights play the Gems the series will begin on Friday, since the teams are already in Klamath Falls. Saturday will be a travel day and the series will resume in Corvallis on Sunday and on Monday, if necessary.

Cowlitz has the tie-breaker over Klamath Falls and would advance in if they tie. If Cowlitz finishes second, Friday is a travel day and the Knights will start the divisional playoffs at Longview on Saturday night. Games 2 and 3 (if necessary) would be in Corvallis on Sunday and Monday nights.