Reds, Pirates game paused as grounds crew fights to dry infield

It’s not an official rain delay, but the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates aren’t playing baseball, and the cause is indeed the weather.

Following the previous night’s 1:46 rain delay, the Reds and Pirates on Aug. 2 went into another weather-related pause at Great American Ball Park as grounds crew members attempted to fight off standing water on the infield with sand and other drying tools.

Again, no one has officially called this a rain delay, but it’s been ongoing for about 15 minutes as of just prior to 3 p.m.

Pirates manager Don Kelly was ejected after arguing with umpires during the pause. He gestured toward the field while he was speaking to the umpires.

The in-game pause marked the third weather-impacted game of the homestand including the Reds-Cleveland Guardians game July 27 that was postponed to July 28 as part of a split doubleheader.

The Reds and Pirates stopped play with Cincinnati leading, 7-1. Sal Stewart hit a two-run homer in the first inning, and Tyler Stephenson drove in a run with a base hit. Former Pirates player Ke’Bryan Hayes added a fourth run for the Reds with his second solo home run of the week in the second inning.

A timetable for when the game might resume wasn’t immediately announced by Reds and ballpark officials.

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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Reds, Pirates game paused as grounds crew fights to dry infield