A game between the Tigers and Royals at Comerica Park experienced multiple delays.
The game was initially delayed due to rain. Later, an umpire’s illness caused another pause, followed by a second rain delay.
Umpire’s Illness Halts Play
The Tigers-Royals game was halted for 10 minutes in the top of the seventh inning. The umpiring crew had to replace plate umpire Andy Fletcher, who appeared to be ill all day. With two runners on base and no outs, Fletcher left the field abruptly.
Second-base umpire Cory Blaser went under the stands to change into his plate-umpiring gear, while the action was stopped. The game continued with only three umpires.
Fletcher had previously left the field briefly between innings earlier in the game. After that half-inning, a Tigers trainer gave him water.
Rain Returns to Comerica Park
The Tigers were leading the Royals 6-2 after six innings, after an initial rain delay of more than an hour. However, before the seventh inning concluded, the Royals rallied to take an 8-6 lead.
Salvador Perez hit a three-run home run off Tyler Holton to give the Royals the lead.
As Perez crossed home plate, the Comerica Park grounds crew rushed to cover the field with the tarp, as another storm approached downtown Detroit.
This led to a second rain delay lasting more than 30 minutes.