UPDATE 11:56AM: The Nationals have issued a formal apology for last night’s rain delay on their Twitter page:
A message from the Washington Nationals: pic.twitter.com/xsXOBvTDyJ
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 7, 2017
EARLIER REPORTING:
John Matthews
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON — (WMAL) The official attendance for Thursday night’s game between the Nationals and Braves at Nats Park was 22,724, but by the time the first pitch was thrown, there were, by most accounts, only hundreds of fans left in the stands.
The game, scheduled for a 7:05 start, was delayed because of a weather forecast that predicted a heavy downpour right around game time. The team had hoped to let the rain pass, and then get the game in.
But then – it didn’t rain.
At around 8:20 pm, ground crews covered the infield with a tarp, because the long awaited storm was expected at any moment. The Nationals posted a message on the scoreboard:
And finally, the skies opened, and the rain came. For about 15 minutes.
By the time the tarp was removed, and the teams got warmed up, the game finally got under way at 10:10pm.
Fans who stuck around were treated to free soda, water and ice cream, but not much of a game.
The Nats fell to the Braves, 5 – 2. The players were frustrated.
“For 15 minutes of rain, that’s unbelievable,” Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez said. “I’m talking to you at 1:30 in the morning right now for a 15-minute delay.”
Gonzalez gave up three runs in six innings of work to take the loss.
Friday night’s game – also scheduled for 7:05 pm – is expected to be hot and steamy, but without any rain.
Expect to pay for your own drinks and snacks.
Copyright 2017 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (PHOTOS: Washington Nationals Twitter – AP/Nick Wass )
