10:30 p.m. update: The rain delay continues. The latest update from the Nationals Park videoboard: "We continue to see isolated scattered lightning behind the departing line of storms. We remain in a delay u
10:15 p.m. update: The rain has returned, though it's not expected to last for more than 10 minutes, according to Accuweather's forecast. Reds outfielder Jesse Winker stood on the dugout steps in full uniform, so players are still waiting to find out what happens next.
10:05 p.m. update: The rain has essentially stopped, but there has been no movement by the Nationals Park grounds crew. The tarp remains over the infield. The scoreboard continues to read: "Due to inclement weather, we are still in a delay."
9:15 p.m. update: There is steady rain and the occasional flash of lightning, but forecasts show that the storm should pass through the area within the next 30 minutes.
There has been no announcement on when the game could resume.
8:55 p.m. update: In the can't-make-it-up dept., a streaker used the rain delay to run onto the field and slide onto the middle of the tarp.
After the slide, the streaker crawled inside the tarp tube. Security guards stood at both ends until he exited for his likely arrest.
Original story:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The storm clouds moved quickly at the end of the third inning with sounds of thunder and some flashes of lightning.
After the Cincinnati Reds went in order in the top of the fourth inning, the Nationals Park grounds crew unrolled the tarp over the infield, putting Wednesday's game into a rain delay at 8:31 p.m.
Heavy rain arrived about 15 minutes later.
The Reds are trailing 3-0. Washington Nationals starter Joe Ross permitted three hits and one walk in four innings, striking out four.
The two teams haven't completed the requisite 4 ½ innings to make it an official game, so they'll attempt to wait out the rain delay. Under new rules, however, the game will not be wiped out if it can't be resumed Wednesday.
As a part of the COVID-19 protocols that went into place before the 2020 season, games will be picked up from where they were suspended rather than starting all over.
The three-game series finale is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Thursday.
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