PORTLAND — The Portland Sea Dogs (85-53) dropped their third straight, 3-1, to the Reading Fightin’ Phils (62-76).

The loss, coupled with the New Britain Rock Cats’ 5-3 win over the Binghamton Mets, decreases Portland’s magic number for a division title to two games with four games left to play.

Tied up at 1-1 after six, the Phils jumped in front with two runs against a shaky Portland bullpen in the seventh. Aaron Altherr sparked the rally with a lead-off walk and moved to third on KC Serna’s double with one out.

Pete Ruiz was in the jam on the mound and walked Logan Moore, filling the bases with one down. The righty battled back to strike out Edgar Duran, but walked Albert Cartwright on four pitches to give Reading the 2-1 lead. Dayan Diaz took over for the Sea Dogs on the mound and walked the first man he faced, which upped the lead to 3-1.

Portland tallied three baserunners over the final two innings, but failed to score against Kyle Simon, who locked down the threeinning save.

Ruiz (3-2) took the loss in relief, allowing three runs on two hits, three walks and one strikeout. Diaz went 2.1 scoreless innings and allowed three baserunners on a hit and two walks. He struck out two.

Brian Johnson started for Portland and was stellar in his final start of the regular season. The southpaw gave up a one-out single to the second man he faced, but went on to retire the next 13 Phils he faced in order.

His final tune-up start came to an end after five scoreless innings. He allowed two hits, did not walk a batter and struck out one.

Hoby Milner (10-6) climbed the mound for Reading and held the Sea Dogs to one run over six innings. He permitted six hits and walked six, but pitched out of trouble.

The Sea Dogs end the regular season with a fourgame home series against Harrisburg. Game one is tonight at 7 p.m., with Portland sending Mike Augliera (7-10) to the hill to face Omar Poveda (1-2).

Notes — Former Sea Dog pitcher Henry Owens was named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Year on Thursday. In 20 starts with Portland, Owens compiled a 14-4 record with a 2.60 ERA. He was promoted to Pawtucket on Aug. 1 and has a record of 2-1 with a 3.66 ERA in five starts … Sea Dogs manager Bill McMillon has been named the Eastern League Manager of the Year. He is the second Portland manager to be honored, joining Carlos Tosca (1996). In his first season with the Sea Dogs, McMillon has led the Sea Dogs to the playoffs for the first time since 2008. With four games remaining, the Sea Dogs are one win away from tying the franchise record for wins in a season, established in 1995.