Updated

Updated · Chicago Sun-Times · Jul 3

Cardinals-Cubs Opener at Wrigley Delayed 10 Minutes as Lightning and Rain Sweep Ballpark

Updated

Updated · Chicago Sun-Times · Jul 3

Cardinals-Cubs Opener at Wrigley Delayed 10 Minutes as Lightning and Rain Sweep Ballpark

Q: Did a 10-minute weather delay fuel the Cardinals' record 17-run onslaught against the Cubs at the 'Friendly Confines'?

No evidence shows the 10-minute weather delay caused the Cardinals’ 17-run outburst. What is clear is that thunderstorms and lightning briefly pushed the first pitch at Wrigley Field from 3:05 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., after fans were told to clear the seating bowl and the infield was covered. The game then resumed normally once conditions improved. The available reporting points to baseball reasons for the 17-1 result, not the delay. St. Louis produced 17 runs on 17 hits and four walks, with 13 runs scoring with two outs, a franchise record in the expansion era. The Cardinals were described as jumping on Cubs pitching, making hard contact, and capitalizing on David Peterson’s struggles. Chicago’s offense, meanwhile, managed only one run against Andre Pallante and failed to convert chances. Wrigley Field’s weather can affect play, especially with wind and changing air conditions, but there is nothing in the reporting that ties this brief pregame interruption to the Cardinals’ offensive explosion. A 10-minute delay is also minor by baseball standards and, by itself, would not usually be seen as a decisive competitive factor. The fairest answer is that the delay happened, but the evidence suggests the blowout was driven by St. Louis’ execution and Chicago’s poor pitching and quiet bats, not by the short weather pause.

3 articles · Updated · Chicago Sun-Times · Jul 3

A second thunderstorm forced a brief delay to Friday’s Cardinals-Cubs game, pushing first pitch to 3:15 p.m. from 3:05.
Multiple lightning strikes were visible near Wrigley Field, and video boards told fans to clear the seating bowl before blinding rain swept across the park.
Cardinals pitchers warming up in the outfield sought shelter during the storm, underscoring the safety concerns behind the delay.
By 2:10 p.m. conditions had calmed, and the grounds crew began removing the infield tarp at 2:15 as fans were cleared to return to their seats.