Shock lose at Cleveland 59-42

Two fumbles, two interceptions, no chance.

Spokane’s modest two-game winning streak came to an abrupt halt as the Cleveland Gladiators rolled to a 59-42 Arena Football League victory Saturday at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

The Shock (6-11) visit Las Vegas next Saturday with the winner claiming the third seed in the National Conference. The third seed will face a road playoff date against No. 2 Arizona. The fourth seed will visit No. 1 San Jose.

The Gladiators (8-9) clinched the fourth seed in the American Conference and will face No. 1 Philadelphia in their playoff opener.

It was a rough trip home for Shock quarterback Arvell Nelson, a Cleveland native. His second pass attempt was intercepted by former Spokane defensive back Devon Dace. Nelson tossed two interceptions and was responsible for two fumbles.

Spokane got off to another lousy start, trailing 21-0 in the first 9 minutes. Cleveland scored touchdowns on three of its first five plays. Opponents have outscored the Shock 76-7 in the first quarter of their last five games.

Spokane closed within 24-14 and registered a defensive stop. However, the Shock offense was stopped on downs and the Gladiators took a 31-14 halftime lead.

Cleveland led 38-14 in the third quarter after Joe Phinisee returned a Nelson fumble for a touchdown. Spokane’s Ruschard Dodd-Masters returned a missed field goal 52 yards for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 17.

Spokane’s defense gave the offense another chance as Derrick Summers stripped the ball from Cleveland quarterback Shane Austin and James Ruffin recovered. The Shock moved to Cleveland’s 2-yard line but Nelson had the ball knocked loose as he tried to reach for the goal line.

Cleveland’s Collin Taylor hauled in five touchdown receptions covering 106 yards. He finished with nine catches for 142 yards. Austin passed for 235 yards and six touchdowns.