BY DAN GLICKMAN
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – In a bizarre turn of events rarely seen at ESL Ballpark, the game between the Rochester Red Wings and Lehigh Valley IronPigs was delayed and then suspended after a sudden rain and wind storm struck so quickly that the grounds crew was unable to fully place the trap on the field until it was too late.
The game will be completed as part of an unconventional double-header on Thursday, with first pitch scheduled for 5:05 p.m. After the conclusion of Wednesday’s game, the previously-scheduled game for Thursday will then take place as a seven-inning affair beginning about a half-hour after game one.
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Down 2-0 in the top of the fifth due to early solo-shots by Otto Kemp and Paul McIntosh, two men were on for Lehigh Valley as the skies darkened in downtown Rochester. Although rain had been expected, the umpires kept the game going – until suddenly the skies opened up. Sheets of rains mixed with high winds hit the stadium, drenching the field and making it difficult for the grounds crew to put on the tarp. Ultimately, the Red Wings’ crew was unable to put on the tarp fully, leaving first base and parts of the third base line uncovered during the deluge.
With parts of the field unplayable and visible flooding in parts of the dugout, the game was ultimately suspended.
Rochester expects to have right-hander Paxton Schultz take over for Andry Lara on Thursday when the game resumes. Right-hander Connor Van Scoyoc, making his Red Wings debut, is expected to start the second game. The Iowa native was 6-2 with a 2.54 ERA in 18 games in AA Harrisburg this season, including five starts.
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