Baseball worker struggles to escape after being trapped under cover during delay

18 July 2023 , 16:26

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A crew member slipped and fell under the tarp and had to crawl out. (Image: ESPN)

The Major League Baseball clash between the San Francisco Giants and the Cincinnati Reds fell victim to rain on Monday evening, and so did a member of the Reds' grounds crew.

The game was tied at 2-2 at the top of the eighth inning at Great American Ball Park when the rain set in, forcing a suspension with the remainder of the game to be played before the second game in the series on Tuesday. But while fans in the stadium were robbed of drama in what was building towards a tense conclusion, there was a bizarre scene on the field as staff protected the diamond from the downpour, which led to a two-hour delay before the teams left the ballpark.

As more than a dozen workers sprinted across the field holding a giant tarpaulin cover, one member of the grounds team lost their footing and fell beneath the tarp. But instead of stopping to allow them to find their way out, the staff kept running and put the tarp in place, forcing their colleague to crawl along the floor and find a way out.

A crew member tripped and fell under the tarp at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

The commentary crew could not contain their laughter. "Mayday, he got eaten by the tarp," Giants analyst Hunter Pence said. "Every man left behind, fend for yourself." The Reds took the lead on Monday night thanks to a solo home run for rookie shortstop Matt McLain, but the score was levelled at the top of the third with a homer in reply from Austin Slater.

The teams exchanged solo homers in the sixth and seventh to leave the score tied before the game resumes at the top of the eighth on Tuesday. The Giants have runners on second and third with one out, with JD Davis the next man at the plate. The resumption on Tuesday will force the Giants into a pitching change after Logan Webb took to the mound on Monday, according to manager Gabe Kapler.

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“It’s tough because, obviously, Logan was pitching really well and I think if we’re able to continue that game, Logan has a chance to go out there for the eighth inning,” he said. “Under the circumstances, obviously we’re not going to allow Logan to pitch in (Tuesday’s) game.

"Additionally, we’re in a pretty good spot there with second and third and one out and J.D. Davis coming up to the plate. So it’s a little disappointing that we didn’t get to continue that momentum.”

Reds rising star Elly De La Cruz impressed once again, with the rookie third baseman setting a new record for the fastest infield assist at 97.9mph, although his struggles at the plate since the All-Star break continued, going 0-11 in the past three games and he will hope to get bat on ball on Tuesday.

Sam Frost