MLB upholds Giants' protest over rainout at Wrigley; will resume game Thursday
The San Francisco Giants will indeed get to complete Tuesday's rain-shortened affair against the Chicago Cubs, as Major League Baseball upheld the club's appeal to overturn the umpires' decision to call the game after an extensive delay.
MLB just released official word: the Giants' protest has indeed been upheld.
— Andrew Baggarly (@CSNBaggs) August 20, 2014
The Giants opted to appeal after the grounds crew at Wrigley Field proved unable to cover the infield with the protective tarp after rain started falling during the fifth inning of Tuesday's game. A delay of more than four hours ensued, but the field was ultimately deemed unplayable, ostensibly resulting in a 2-0 loss for the Giants.
However, the league decided Wednesday evening that the game will be resumed Thursday, according to Andrew Baggarly of Comcast SportsNet Bay Area.
Cubs writers hearing 4:05 p.m. first pitch on Thursday to resume Tuesday's game from the point it was halted in 5th.
— Andrew Baggarly (@CSNBaggs) August 20, 2014
The Giants challenged the umpires' interpretation of the rule that dictates when a game should be suspended rather than terminated:
MLB cited official Baseball Rule 4.12(a)(3) on suspended games, which states:
(a) A game shall become a suspended game that must be completed at a future date if the game is terminated for any of the following reasons:
(3) Light failure or malfunction of a mechanical field device under the control of the home club. (Mechanical field device shall include automatic tarpaulin or water removal equipment.)