Game called after lengthy delay

The AL Central-leading Guardians and White Sox had their Aug. 21 game postponed due to unplayable field conditions caused by early morning rain.

No precipitation fell for more than three hours before the game was called following a delay of 2 hours, 56 minutes. Play never began as the groundskeepers kept the tarp on the infield from the night of Aug. 20.

The game has been rescheduled for Sept. 15, a mutual off-day, at Progressive Field.

It was the Guardians’ 12th postponement this season, 10 of them at home. Cleveland has played an MLB-high 10 doubleheaders.

Four of Chicago’s five postponements in 2022 have been against Cleveland.

Cleveland manager Terry Francona, Chicago manager Tony La Russa, umpire crew chief Chad Fairchild and Guardians officials met in the outfield twice during the lengthy delay, splashing water as they walked on the grass.

A large portion of left field was re-sodded following an Elton John concert that drew a capacity crowd on July 30. That specific area was deemed unplayable, forcing the game to be called off.

The tarp was rolled out immediately after Chicago’s 2-0 win on Aug. 20, a game that was delayed by 2 hours, 55 minutes due to rain and started at 9:05 p.m.

Trainer’s room

GUARDIANS » C Austin Hedges (right ankle sprain) remained out of the lineup for a second straight day. Hedges slid feet-first down the home dugout steps Aug. 19 while pursuing a wild pitch by Triston McKenzie in the fifth, forcing him to leave the game.

Up next

GUARDIANS » RHP Aaron Civale (2-5, 5.63 ERA) starts Aug. 23 in the opener of a two-game series in San Diego. Civale is on a sevenstart winless streak, losing twice with a 3.55 ERA over 33 innings since June 21, and has four straight nodecisions.