The Erie SeaWolves are doing what they can to avoid official playoff elimination, as well as slowing Akron’s bid for the Eastern League’s Western Division pennant.

Tony Plagman’s home run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning was the difference in Tuesday night’s 3-2 victory by the SeaWolves over the Aeros at Jerry Uht Park. Erie’s outcome, combined with Richmond’s 7-3 win over second-place Bowie, left its wild-card elimination number at one.

Although the SeaWolves are 55-73 overall, they’re guaranteed a winning record for the season against Akron (13-9) going into Wednesday’s series finale. Akron still maintains the league’s best record at 75-53 despite its latest two losses to Erie.

– Mike Copper

Akron reliever Rob Bryson (5-4) retired Avisail Garcia and Jordan Lennerton for the SeaWolves’ first two outs in the ninth, but then served up a 2-1 pitch that Plagman launched into Uht Park’s netting down the right-field line. It was the left fielder’s second hit of the game and eighth over his last three

Michael Morrison (4-3) was the winner as Erie’s third pitcher.

Garcia also recorded two hits and scored during the SeaWolves’ two-run sixth. Niuman Romero finished 0-for-4 in his bid to add to his league-leading total of 147 hits.