Nationals, Phillies upset game started before rain
The Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies were upset with the decision to play Saturday’s ultimately postponed game at Citizens Bank Park despite a weather forecast that showed rain.
The game was called after 1 1/2 scoreless innings, prompting Nationals manager Matt Williams to question why it started in the first place.
“Extremely,” Williams said of how frustrated he was, according to NatsInsider.com. “Burned our pitcher. I’m not very happy about it.”
Nationals lefthander Gio Gonzalez threw 18 pitches in his only inning while Phillies lefthander Adam Morgan threw two innings.
“[Morgan] started off and looked like the same guy we saw before, and we like what we see,” Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin said, according to CSNPhilly.com. “It’s a shame we lost him as a starter. Unfortunately for us, we lost him, but hopefully we can put together a couple good games tomorrow.”
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The game began with light rain, though it picked up during the top of the second. After the top frame, umpires called for the Phillies grounds crew to cover the infield with the tarp and both teams returned to their clubhouses. The game was called one hour and 27 minutes later.
Games in Baltimore and Detroit had already been postponed by the time the Nationals and Phillies took the field in Philadelphia. Players from both teams later expressed surprise to reporters that the game even began.
“It’s unfortunate,” Gonzalez said. “You’re put in a tough situation, and it just sucks. I’ve been waiting four days, and that’s what happens. I mean, this rain kind of caught us all off-guard. I mean, we didn’t know it was coming for like three days, so...”
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The game will be made up on Sunday as a doubleheader beginning at 1:05 p.m. Righthander Stephen Strasburg will start for the Nationals and righthander Kevin Correia will pitch for the Phillies.
Philadelphia said it would recall righthander Severino Gonzalez from Triple A Leigh Valley for the second game, while the Nationals had not yet announced their starter for the second game. MLB rules allow teams to add a 26th player to their active roster from the minor leagues for the second game of doubleheaders.
- Mike Fiammetta
