GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Fall League playoffs started a day early on Thursday, with the matchup between the Scottsdale Scorpions and Glendale Desert Dogs at Camelback Ranch serving as a de facto play-in game to Friday’s semifinal contest.

Riding back-to-back homers from Adrian Pinto (Blue Jays) and Jacob Reimer (NYM No. 20) in the seventh inning and an amazing play by right fielder Sammy Siani (Pirates) in the eighth, Scottsdale edged past Glendale, 7-6, to secure the No. 2 seed and set the three-team field.

The Play-in Semifinal is set for 8:30 p.m. ET/6:30 local on Friday and can be streamed free on MLB.com.

After Glendale got on the board in the first on an RBI single from the Reds’ Matt McLain, Scottsdale stormed back and held a 6-3 lead after the homers in the seventh. But the Desert Dogs refused to go away.

McLain added a two-run single in the eighth to make it 7-6, and one batter later, Gabriel Rincones Jr. (PHI No. 11) sent a sinking liner out to shallow right field. Siani charged in to make a diving catch and fired to first base from his knees to double off Zyhir Hope (LAD No. 11) for a rally-killing double play.

"Siani has been a little overshadowed by [AFL Triple Crown winner Josue] Briceño for us, as far as what he means to this ballclub, but he’s a very good player,” Scottsdale manager Dennis Pelfrey said. “I don’t know that he’s undervalued anywhere, but he’s someone who kind of goes under the radar, in my opinion.”

Ryan Jennings (Blue Jays) locked down the save in the ninth, sending the Scorpions to the playoffs.

It was quite an accomplishment for the Scorpions, who sat at 9-14 and in fifth place after losing their second straight on Nov. 4. But Scottsdale dug in, reeled off seven straight wins and shot up the standings.

“We won 11 out of our last 13 now to get into this spot in a must-win game,” Pelfrey said. “To me, whatever season we’re playing in, playing in a must-win game or a game that means something late in any season is special.”

The Surprise Saguaros already had the No. 1 seed locked up heading into play on Thursday, but Jac Caglianone (KC No. 1/MLB No. 17) and Co. didn’t let up in the season finale, defeating Salt River 10-2 to knock the Rafters down to the third seed.

The Saguaros will be the home team in Saturday’s championship game at Salt River Fields, awaiting the winner of Friday’s showdown between No. 2 seed Scottsdale and No. 3 seed Salt River at Scottsdale Stadium.

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SCOTTSDALE SCORPIONS
Pelfrey’s squad went 16-14, closing the season with a seven-game winning streak to secure the No. 2 seed. They went 1-5 against Surprise and 4-2 against Salt River.

Key players:
Josue Briceño (DET No. 9): .433 AVG, 10 HR, 27 RBI to win AFL’s first Triple Crown
Thayron Liranzo (DET No. 6): 9 XBH, 1.159 OPS
Sammy Siani (PIT): 1.031 OPS, 18 RBI
Peyton Williams (TOR): 3 HR, 12 RBI

The Scorpions are seeking their first Fall League title since 2015 and their fourth championship overall.

SALT RIVER RAFTERS
Manager Tyler Smarslok’s squad also went 16-14 but settled for the No. 3 seed due to their head-to-head record against Scottsdale (2-4). They also went 2-4 against top-seeded Surprise.

Key players:
Robert Hassell III (WSH No. 13): 4 HR, 19 RBI
Caleb Durbin (NYY): 5 HR, 21 RBI, 29 SB
Garrett Martin (NYY): 5 HR, 16 RBI
Juan Guerrero (COL): 4 HR, 18 RBI

The Rafters are seeking their first Fall League championship since 2019 and their sixth title overall.