Postgame: Erie moved back into a first-place tie with a thrilling win. Harrisburg lost and Bowie won, meaning Erie and Harrisburg are tied for first in the West and Bowie is 4 games back. … The SeaWolves have already won the seven-game homestand against the two best teams in the East. Erie will look to take three of four from the best record in the Eastern League on Sunday afternoon.
NINTH INNING
Melvin Mercedes records save No. 8 as a member of the SeaWolves as Erie completes a 6-4 comeback win. The electricity in the ballpark in the ninth inning was unbelievable.
EIGHTH INNING
Will Startup rolls through the lineup with a 1-2-3 inning.
Erie takes a two-run lead. After a Daniel Fields base hit, Ramon Cabrera doubles to drive him in. Wade Gaynor then connects on a perfect suicide squeeze to give Erie a 6-4 lead.
SEVENTH INNING
David Kopp is pulled after two walks but goes 3 1/3 solid innings. Will Startup comes in to get two fly balls. 4-0 B-Mets
Erie rallies to tie this game! Wade Gaynor with an RBI double before James Robbins crushed a two-out, three-run homer. 4-4
SIXTH INNING
Another 1-2-3 inning for Kopp.
Noah Syndergaard is done after 5, allowing two hits and striking out 5. Armando Rodriguez in to pitch with Binghamton up 4-0. He dominates with a 1-2-3 inning.
FIFTH INNING
Binghamton adds to its lead as Josh Rodriguez hits a two-out RBI single to bring in Wilfredo Tovar, who started the inning with a double. The B-Mets also loaded the bases but Kopp limited the damage. 4-0 Binghamton
Brandon Douglas rips a two-out double, the hardest hit ball off Syndergaard all night, but he is stranded.
FOURTH INNING
David Kopp comes in for Drew VerHagen and throws a 1-2-3 inning. 3-0 Binghamton
Another quick 1-2-3 inning for Syndergaard. He’s allowed one hit through four.
THIRD INNING
Cory Vaughn with an infield single on a diving stop by Brandon Douglas, who almost throws Vaughn out. Erie then turns a 3-6-1 DP to end the inning. 3-0 Binghamton
James Robbins draws a walk and steals second but he is stranded at second.
SECOND INNING
Binghamton gets to VerHagen with three runs. Rhyne Hughes starts the inning with a solo home run to right before two, two-out walks turn into runs. Wilfredo Tovar and Alonzo Harris each walk and move up one base on a wild pitch. Daniel Muno then bloops a single to left to bring both home. James McCann then fires a throw from his knees to second base to catch Muno stealing. 3-0 B-Mets
1-2-3 inning for Syndergaard as he is cruising along.
FIRST INNING
Daniel Muno with a leadoff double but Drew VerHagen settles down to retire the next three hitters.
Noah Syndergaard with a nasty start to the game. He throws 10 fastballs, all for strikes, but Ramon Cabrera keeps Erie from striking out the side with a base hit to left. Tyler Collins then hits a rocket right at the first baseman to end the inning.
Binghamton Mets (74-45) at Erie SeaWolves (62-55)
7:05 p.m., Jerry Uht Park
Starting pitchers
Binghamton RH Noah Syndergaard (5-0, 1.98) vs. Erie RH Drew VerHagen (2-3, 2.40)
Starting lineups
Binghamton – 2B Daniel Muno (.256), 3B Josh Rodriguez (.279), LF Cory Vaughn (.289), DH Allan Dykstra (.288), 1B Rhyne Hughes (.282), RF Travis Taijeron (.253), C Blake Forsythe (.197), SS Wilfredo Tovar (.259), CF Alonzo Harris (.220)
Erie – RF Jamie Johnson (.270), CF Daniel Fields (.287), DH Ramon Cabrera (.295), LF Tyler Collins (.241), C James McCann (.274), 3B Wade Gaynor (.226), 2B Marcus Lemon (.248), SS Brandon Douglas (.257), 1B James Robbins (.215)
Pregame: Brandon Douglas spent time before batting practice working manager Chris Cron and Detroit Tigers field director Kevin Bradshaw at middle infield. Douglas took throws at second base and threw back to first like a shortstop in a double play. Out of 117 games this season, Hernan Perez or Eugenio Suarez have played 116 at shortstop. The only game either did not play short was April 19 when Marcus Lemon played short. … Erie has one more off day this season on Monday. … The Harrisburg Senators are currently selling playoff tickets. Erie may begin selling them in a few weeks. … While the SeaWolves are in two races right now, one for the division and one for the wild card, they could take huge strides to a playoff spot this coming week. Heading into tonight’s game, Erie has a four-game lead on Bowie. The SeaWolves travel to Bowie on Tuesday for three games. Winning the series or even a sweep would put Bowie in the rearview mirror.
–Tom Reisenweber