A rough night for the Kingsport Mets ended two outs early, thanks to Mother Nature. The Johnson City Cardinals hung the first shutout of the season on the K-Mets, tallying a 5-0 victory Friday in a game that was called with one out in the bottom of the ninth when a thunderstorm hit Hunter Wright Stadium and rendered the field unplayable for the remainder.

Stranded baserunners have told the tale for Kingsport en route to an 0-2 start in the Appalachian League. The K-Mets abandoned nine runners Friday, and hit 1-for-7 with men in scoring position. Kingsport is a combined 4-for-21 with runners in scoring position through two games.

In another developing common trend, the top of the second proved costly for the K-Mets. After plating five runs in that frame last night in a 9-3 victory, Johnson City pushed across four runs in the top of the second on Friday-all unearned. A two-out fielding error by Kingsport's third baseman Pedro Perez loaded the bases. And Vaughn Bryan made the K-Mets pay, lining a triple into right field.

Bryan proved pivotal all night, tallying three hits, three RBIs, two stolen bases and a run scored while finishing a home run shy of the cycle.

Highly-touted teenage prospect Amed Rosario paced Kingsport offensively, with singles in his final two at-bats after going 0-for-5 in the season opener. All five of the K-Mets' base hits were singles, while four of Johnson City's eight knocks went for extra bases.

Kingsport will try to prevent the three-game sweep on Saturday, as it hosts Johnson City in the conclusion of this season-opening series. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m., and there will be a fireworks show after the game.

NOTES: K-Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil was robbed in the first inning by a fine defensive play. The Kingsport leadoff hitter slapped a line drive into left field, but Devante Lacy made a spectacular diving, rolling grab. … This marked the professional debut for Kingsport's Zach Mathieu, a 16th-round pick in the draft earlier this month. Mathieu went 0-for-3 with a walk. Catcher Adrian Abreu made his debut in the American minor leagues, and went 0-for-3 as well. … K-Met Robert Whalen was the tough-luck loser, allowing the four unearned runs on four hits and a walk while striking out six over 5 1-3 innings.