Bob in My Brain

I was watching MLB Network late Wednesday and heard Bob Costas talking about Arizona pitcher Wade Miley's masterful performance that night against the Texas Rangers. The rookie left-hander gave up only a run to the potent Rangers lineup, but received no run support from his Diamondbacks teammates and lost the game 1-0.


Anyway, as I'm watching the highlights, I see a shot of Miley walking off the mound in the pouring rain. My brain immediately went into daydream mode and, in my mind, I heard Bob say," this is the sort of thing that needs to be featured on The Rainout Blog." Ok, had Bob actually said those words, he would have much more eloquently. He is Bob Costas, after all.

So here ya go, Bob, a brief mention of Wiley's performance – it was halted by a 29-minute rain delay in the fourth inning – just like you asked for… if only in my mind.

Now, I didn't find an image of Miley pitching in the rain, but I did find this cool Associated Press shot of the Rangers' Adrian Beltre walking back to the dugout after striking out against Miley in the second inning as ominous storm clouds gather above the ballpark. Eerie!

Going to the World Series Tonight? Bring an Umbrella

It was a beautiful night for baseball in San Francisco last night, at least as far as I could observe by sitting on the comfy couch in my man cave.
Tonight’s Game Two of the World Series, however, may be a have a different feel to fans at AT&T Park – a wet feel.

According to the National Weather Service, a weather system will be approaching the ballpark from the north, just about the same time – 4:57 Pacific – Giants’ starter Matt Cain tosses the first pitch.

Chances of rain are at 30 percent – according to Weather.com – at game time, decreasing to about 10 percent as the game progresses. No heavy rain is expected, so the game should be completed tonight. Temperature at first pitch should be around 63 degrees.

Someone please inform Kristen Lee about the impending rain, so she won't think Giants fans are spitting on her. Thank you.

...and in Texas

There's a 40 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms today in Arlington for the Rangers home opener with the Oakland A's. From Star-Telegram.com:

A Pacific cold front was moving Monday toward North Texas where it's expected meet an abundance moist air from the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in possible storms and thunderstorms on Tuesday.

"This isn't the best setup for thunderstorms," said Dan Huckaby, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Fort Worth. "But it's still a 40 percent chance, which is a decent chance.

"Anytime we get a cold front in springtime, with plenty of humidity ahead of it, you usually have a chance for thunderstorms."

Read the rest of the story here.

Yankees, Rangers Complete Stormy Series

A severe storm washed out Wednesday night's game in Arlington, Texas between the Rangers and New York Yankees, forcing the two teams to play a doubleheader Thursday. Another storm swept through the area briefly during the second game, but this time halted the action for only 40 minutes. The AP photo above shows the grounds crew removing the tarp while a rainbow appears above the ballpark. The Yankees went on to win game two, thus sweeping the double dip and the series from the Rangers. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Sprinkles: There still is a 50 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms for Saturday's 133rd running of the Kentucky Derby, according the Louisville, Ky., bureau of the National Weather Service. Friday, USA-Today quoted meteorologist Don Kirkpatrick of the NWS as saying, "Some of those (storms) in the afternoon could get into the strong level, as far as producing small hail and that sort of thing." However, the forecaster went on to say that those storms were not expected to hit Churchill Downs. By the way, Storm in May is a long shot at 30-1. Below you can watch Smarty Jones take the 2004 Derby crown in the Kentucky mud …Rain has suspended play at the Italian Open. Joakim Backstrom of Sweden was leading when the rains began. I don't Tiger is playing this event. He's getting wet in Charlotte, N.C. (above) …Forecasters say rain is likely in Richmond, Va., for Saturday night's NASCAR race there, so expect many delays.

(Tiger Woods photo -- AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)

Weather Term of the Day:
SQUALL -- A sudden onset of strong winds with speeds increasing to at least 16 knots (18 miles per hour) and sustained at 22 or more knots (25 miles per hour) for at least one minute. The intensity and duration is longer than that of a gust. It is reported as "SQ"s in an observation and on the METAR.

Severe Storm Forces Yankees and Rangers to Play Two Today In Arlington

Nearly four inches of rain fell in about 40 minutes Wednesday on and around the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, forcing the postponement the team’s game with the New York Yankees. Batting practice was cut short for the Yanks as tornado warnings were announced for the surrounding Tarrant County. As lightning and 80-mph wind gusts moved toward the stadium, fans in the ballpark were asked to take cover from the severe thunderstorm in concourses, hallways and restroom, as is the scene in the AP photo above. At the height of the storm, it was impossible to see the outfield fence from the press box because of the sheets of blowing rain, observes said.

"I was out there a little while and I thought the scoreboard was going to blow down. I've never seen anything like it," said Rangers backup catcher Chris Stewart.

The game was called at 8:15 p.m., local time. The postponed game is scheduled to be made up today as part of a doubleheader. The second game, originally scheduled to be played today, will begin 20 minutes following game one. Forecasters say there is a 40 percent chance of rain for the Arlington area today.