B-Mets' game suspended in eighth inning

Ring blows save

prior to downpour

BOWIE, Md. -- The Binghamton Mets squandered a two-run, eighth-inning lead over the Bowie Baysox, then the teams were forced to wait a day to determine the outcome when lightning accompanied by a downpour prompted suspension of play Tuesday night.

A two-run double by Bowie's Ruben Rivera made it 5-5 one batter before the storm struck, and marked the first save opportunity blown by Mets southpaw Royce Ring-- who entered the game with a 1-0 record, six saves and a 2.31 earned run average in nine appearances.

A 45-minute delay preceded overnight suspension of play.

The contest is scheduled to be resumed at 11:05 this morning -- with two out in the eighth and a runner on second base -- to be followed by a seven-inning game in which the Mets will send Matt Peterson (1-1, 4.09) to the mound to oppose fellow right-hander Dave Crouthers (2-1, 2.60) of the Baysox.

The Mets and Bowie each started play Tuesday night 5 1/2 games out of a playoff spot, and the Mets with an 18-39 record in games played away from NYSEG Stadium.

The Mets staked starting pitcher Phil Seibel to a 3-0 lead, which the Baysox erased with three in the home half of the second inning. Binghamton picked up two more runs in the fifth.

Eastern League Northern Division leader New Haven was idle Tuesday, and will bring a 4 1/2-game lead over second-place Portland into its game tonight at Trenton. Southern Division-leading Akron improved the league's best record to 73-44 with a 4-2 win Tuesday over Erie.

Following today's completion of the three-game series at Bowie -- the teams' final regular-season meeting -- the Mets will move on to Portland for a four-game set against the Sea Dogs before returning to begin a nine-game homestand Monday against the Trenton Thunder.

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