Mets-Nationals game called after nearly four-hour rain delay fiasco
WASHINGTON — On a lost day at Nationals Park, both teams avoided decisions.
Instead, the thousands of fans who stuck around through hours of rain delays took the loss.
The Mets-Nationals game was suspended Saturday night due to what the Nationals called “inclement weather” long after rain had stopped.
The two teams will play a split-admission doubleheader Sunday, with the continuation of the suspended game beginning at 12:35 p.m., and the second game starting at 4:35 p.m.
The first game will begin in the top of the third inning with the Nationals leading, 1-0.
The game was delayed at 4:43 p.m., and no updates were given until the suspension announcement was made nearly four hours later, at 8:38 p.m.
By that point, no rain had fallen for hours, the tarp had long been removed from the field, and the grounds crew had put significant work into the infield.
The Mets-Nationals game was suspended after a nearly four-hour rain delay in which fans weren’t given any notification until the decision was made. Getty Images
Shortly before 7 p.m., the grounds crew removed the tarp from the infield and was working on getting it off the left-field grass when the workers stopped.
Crew chief Paul Emmel and Nationals manager Dave Martinez talked between first and second base and soon were joined by Mets manager Buck Showalter.
A few minutes later, the tarp was placed back on the infield. And a few minutes afterward, the tarp was, finally, taken off the field again.
The grounds crew then worked on what appeared to be a dry field until the game was called more than an hour later. It is possible that the field was deemed unplayable.
The Nationals’ grounds crew worked hard to get the field back in shape to be played on before the decision was made to suspend the game. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
“Let’s play baseball” cheers rang out at 8:10 p.m. from the fans who remained, greatly outnumbering the zero in the dugouts.
When the game was called, the Mets had Daniel Vogelbach on third base and Michael Perez on second with one out.
On the mound was Nationals pitcher Trevor Williams, who tried to stay warm through the delay by throwing simulated innings in the bullpen before he eventually gave up.
Some hearty fans waited out the long rain delay hoping the game would resume, but that was not to be. AP
The Mets had received two innings from Joey Lucchesi, and their plan, if the game had resumed, was unclear.
Their only reliever who was fresh was Stephen Nogosek.
Dominic Leone’s status was unclear because he had felt elbow discomfort a day prior. Showalter would have wanted to stay away from relievers who pitched Friday (David Robertson, Adam Ottavino, Drew Smith and Jeff Brigham).
The only other active reliever was Tommy Hunter, who threw 31 pitches Thursday.
Source: New York Post
