The Binghamton Mets and Akron Aeros didn't quite play two Friday night, but they came close. The two teams finished the game that was suspended in the bottom of the fifth inning on Thursday and then played Friday's regularly scheduled game.
When Thursday's game was suspended, the Aeros held a commanding 7-2 lead, but Binghamton stormed back before falling just short, 7-6.
The B-Mets got one run in the bottom of the fifth. Hector Pellot singled with one out and Kirk Nieuwenhuis followed with a double. Nick Evans then grounded out, allowing Pellot to score.
Akron Pitcher Erik Stiller started the sixth inning by walking Lucas Duda and Zach Lutz. After Carlos Guzman popped out, catcher Shawn Riggans hit a two-run double to pull the B-Mets to within two, 7-5.
Akron threatened in the eighth inning as two runners reached base against Clint Everts who didn't record an out in the inning. He was relieved by Josh Stinson, who was able to get out of the jam without allowing a run.
In the ninth inning the B-Mets got an RBI groundout from D.J. Wabick and had runners at second and third but Lutz popped out to en the game.
"When you start down five runs and bring it to a 1-run game, the offense did a good job getting us back into the game," said Binghamton Manager Tim Teufel. We essentially had the winning run on base twice and we got good pitching, The guys did a good job battling back."
In the regularly scheduled game, the B-Mets put it all together and came away with a convincing 5-1 victory.
There was a post-game fireworks show scheduled following the nightcap, but they started early as the second game had just about everything you could ask for including snow, a bench clearing dust-up and a masterful pitching performance.
Dylan Owen got the start for Binghamton in place of Brad Holt who is nursing a wrist injury. Owen walked two Aeros in the first inning, but settled in nicely, striking out six in five innings of no-hit baseball.
On the other side, the B-Mets found their offense. A first inning sacrifice fly by Nick Evans got the Mets started and they never looked back.
The third inning saw Binghamton plate three runs and essentially put the game away because Owen was taking care of business out on the mound.
The inning started with back-to-back hits for Binghamton. Jose Coronado doubled and Nieuwenhuis singled. Jonathan Malo then drew a walk to load the bases. Evans hit into a force at second, but Coronado scored to make it 2-0.
Duda followed with a sacrifice fly and after Lutz drew a walk, Marshall Hubbard singled to center to make it 4-0.
In the fourth inning, after a walk and a stolen base by Coronado, Nieuwenhuis singled to put the Mets up 5-0.
Owen continued to cruise, but was on a pitch count and Teufel did not bring him back for the sixth.
"Just an outstanding job from Owen who stepped up to the plate and delivered," said Teufel. "We gave him an extra batter as a matter of fact to give him a chance to potentially get him a win and he deserved it. It was a tall order for him to pitch five innings and he did great."
John Lujan took over for the Mets in the sixth and after getting the first two outs, gave up consecutive singles to Lonnie Chisenhall, Nick Weglarz and Matt McBride.
Akron finally did get on the scoreboard on a ground ball by Beau Mills. Chisenhall scored and Weglarz got caught in a rundown between third and home. Binghamton catcher Luke Montz tagged him and Weglarz brought his elbow up into Montz' chin. The two exchanged words, benches and bullpens emptied, but the umpires were able to get things under control pretty quickly.
"Both guys were hyped up and "I don't mind that one bit," said Teufel. "I know that (Akron manager) Joel Skinner probably won't mind that about his club either. I think its one of those things that happens and ya move on, I think both teams will and we'll get after it tomorrow."
More info: Susp. game box score Regular game box score
The series continues today at 1:05 p.m. at NYSEG Stadium. Scott Shaw (0-0) will toe the rubber for the Mets against Connor Graham (0-0).
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