The Hamilton Thunderbirds have to win two out of their last three games of the season -- and hope the Mississauga Twins lose their final four -- if they hope to reach the playoffs.

The T-Birds lost 11-10 to the Mississauga Twins Monday night, falling to 1 1/2 games out of the final playoff spot held by the Twins in the Intercounty Baseball League.

Zach Dickson drove in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat the Hamilton Thunderbirds in the lone Intercounty Baseball League game.

Mississauga (8-24) led 8-3 after three innings only to fall behind after the T-Birds (7-26) scored six runs in the fourth.

Dickson, Mike Bannano and Jon Slattery all had three hits for the Twins, who had lost 20 of their previous 22 games. Bannano also scored three runs, Slattery scored twice and Wes O'Neill chipped in with two hits, two runs scored and an RBI.

Jeff McLeod got the win in relief with a hitless ninth inning, striking out two, in relief of starter Mike McGillvray and reliever Adam Banski.

Ryan Sharpe, the fourth Hamilton pitcher, took the loss. He allowed two runs on five hits over three innings, striking out three and walking one.

Steve Dowding had three hits, scored three runs and stole a base, while Adam Durfee had three hits including a solo homer and drove in two runs. Tyler Vanderlip added a two-run homer for the T-Birds, who have just three games remaining.

The T-Birds are on the road Wednesday to play second-place Brantford and Friday (fifth-place) London) before returning home for the final game of the season Sunday against London at 2 p.m. at Bernie Arbour stadium.

The Twins are in Guelph tonight for a makeup game rescheduled from a June 30 rainout. They host Guelph Friday and Brantford Saturday before finishing on the road in Kitchener Sunday.