ERIE, PA — The Erie SeaWolves were denied an opportunity to close June on a winning note, falling 5-3 to the Harrisburg Senators after a late bullpen collapse.

Erie grabbed a 2-1 lead in the fifth when John Peck delivered a ground-rule double to center, driving home Brett Callahan from second with one out. The SeaWolves had an opportunity to add to their advantage, but Peyton Grahamstruck out and Bryce Rainer lined out to end the inning.

Harrisburg responded immediately, scoring twice in the sixth to move ahead 3-2.

The SeaWolves answered in the bottom half. Aaron Luke ripped an RBI double to center to bring home the tying run, sending the game into the late innings deadlocked at 3-3.

Erie’s bullpen couldn’t preserve the tie in the ninth.

Reliever Dugan Darnell surrendered a leadoff single before closer Cole Waites entered and allowed another hit, putting runners at the corners. Jesús Valdez then lifted a sacrifice fly to center to bring home the go-ahead run. A second sacrifice fly extended Harrisburg’s advantage to 5-3.

Bruce Montes de Oca made sure there would be no final comeback, retiring the SeaWolves in order in the bottom of the ninth to secure the Senators’ victory.

AS IT STANDS…

The SeaWolves fell to 40-37, ending an up-and-down June on a loss despite going 7-3 over their final 10 games.

Erie enters July in third place, three games behind Harrisburg in the division race.