CENTRAL ISLIP, NY- John Halama did not retire a single batter in his start last night at Citibank Park, though it wasn’t because of ineffectiveness or injury.

The umpires called the Ducks off the field four pitches into last night’s game against the Somerset Patriots. Halama had worked the count to 2-2 on leadoff hitter Anton French before it started to downpour, forcing the contest to be postponed. The teams will make up the game as part of a doubleheader starting today at 6:00 p.m.

Atlantic League rules call for both games to be seven innings since it is not a day/night doubleheader. Halama (0-0, 4.09 ERA) is expected to take the hill for Game 1, while Somerset will likely go with Chris Rojas (0-2, 1.80 ERA), who was last night’s probable starter.

Ducks manager Dave LaPoint will give the ball to John Riedling (0-0, 1.64 ERA) for the nightcap. Patriots skipper Sparky Lyle will turn to lefty Brian Adams (2-0, 1.93 ERA).

Before the 6:30 start, the Ducks cancelled batting practice and put the tarp on the field until about 20 minutes before game time. After both managers exchanged lineup cards, the Ducks took the field. But French could not even finish his at-bat, as game time ran just one minute before third base umpire Eric Diaz signaled for the stoppage.

A 32-minute rain delay followed before the official postponement notice. The Ducks lost the opener of the three-game set on Tuesday, as Somerset scored six runs in the top of the eighth inning for a 13-6 win.