The last time Tampa Bay played a meaningful game in Philadelphia, in 2008, it took three days to play nine innings. They played none Friday night after waiting 2 hours and 48 minutes.
A steady rain and violent thunderstorms postponed the opener of a series between the Phillies and Rays at Citizens Bank Park. They will play a day-night doubleheader Sunday, with games starting at 1:05 p.m. and 6:35 p.m. Tickets from Friday's game can be used for Sunday's second game.
Kyle Kendrick will start Saturday as scheduled against James Shields, Tampa Bay's scheduled Friday starter. The Phillies did not name starting pitchers for Sunday's doubleheader. Cole Hamels will pitch one of the games, with Friday's scheduled starter, Cliff Lee, possibly going in the other.
Manager Charlie Manuel was not made available to reporters after the postponement.
Here's hoping this weekend does not mirror Game 5 of the 2008 World Series, played under worse conditions than those Friday night. There was no sign of Bud Selig this time.
Briefly, it appeared there would be baseball when the Phillies announced a revised start time of 8:45 p.m. Both starting pitchers warmed up in the bullpens. But minutes before the scheduled start, the rains resumed.
Rays manager Joe Maddon engaged the umpires and Phillies grounds crew in a lengthy discussion, and the decision was made to cover the field once more.
Heavy storms assaulted the area earlier in the night. Fans were advised to take cover. As the rain slowed at one point, a lightning bolt appeared to strike Ashburn Alley. That set off a fire alarm. The scoreboard briefly went dark and then flashed a message warning everyone to vacate. It was a false alarm.
The fans who stayed, though, were treated to a bunch of nothing.
Contact Matt Gelb at mgelb@phillynews.com or follow on Twitter @magelb.
