allquixotic

The weather clause only "trumps" the equipment malfunction clause in the sense that, IF the equipment didn't malfunction (or was unintentionally used improperly), THEN the equipment malfunction clause isn't grounds for suspending the game anyway. If the equipment malfunction (or unintentional misuse thereof) IS the proximate cause (the most direct event) of the game being unable to be completed today, then the rule kicks in and the game is suspended. Think about it this way: "But for" the grounds crew's failure to use the tarp properly, the game would have resumed less than an hour after the rain started, because there wasn't enough rain to call the game under "normal" circumstances, because a reasonably deployed tarp would have kept the infield playable after a small amount of work on it after the rain. There is no amount of rain that can fall in 15 minutes that would prevent a reasonably competent 21st century grounds crew from successfully using a tarp or other device (e.g. closing a roof) to prevent the field from getting so wet that the game can't be resumed the same day. The only way the Orioles should've been entitled to a 5-game win today is if the rain was so persistent, or the volume of it so high, that despite correct procedures being taken, the amount of time required to wait out the rain and then make the field playable would've been unreasonably long in the judgment of the umpires. But that didn't happen, so one of two things should have happened today: either (1) the grounds crew correctly deployed the tarp, and we resumed the game about an hour later, or (2) the grounds crew did not correctly deploy the tarp, and we resume the game another date. Seems perfectly straightforward to me. This is how law in the US works, by, the way. If someone punches you in the face, you can't then fall on the ground and decide to intentionally roll around in a bed of nails, then sue for both the punch and the injuries from the nails. The guy who punched you is responsible for the punch, but not for you deciding to roll around in the bed of nails. Here is the precedential case law: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palsgraf_v._Long_Island_Railroad_Co.

The wide part of the infield between 2nd and 3rd and 1st and 2nd looked really awful. Soupy. Like when you accidentally put an extra cup of water in your oatmeal.

Agree, except for the rare case of the guy having a chance at a no-hitter or perfect game. A manager trying to pull a pitcher when they haven't yet given up on the no-hitter is really bad manners, regardless of pitch count.

Wojo was pitching on short rest. You have to think they would keep Wojo in for a chance at a decision if he were rested, especially if the top of the 5th went the way it just did.

He and Scherzer are well-known for that.

Man, that 4 game sweep by the Marlins is pretty far in the rear view mirror now... if we can hold on to this game, the story will be that the O's are still in this thing after a devastating start to the week.

We won't, and he is!

Wow, things are going pretty well today eh? Wouldn't have expected that we could score on Strasburg!

Sulser got better as the inning progressed. That AB against Thames was awesome. Three swing and misses. He had him fooled bad.

Getting this game to a winnable position took a LONG time... and we were completely dependent on one of their relievers being hilariously awful and the other pretty bad too.

SAN! TAN! DER!

Ben McDonald: "Watch Hanser Alberto. He's got these short arms, I call 'em alligator arms. He just pulls his hands in..." Oh, Ben. That was hilarious. Alligator arms!

Nice AB by Hays! That was professional. Can't complain about an 11 pitch walk. Not at all.

This guy (Daniel Hudson) was on the mound when the Gnats won the WS.

Here comes Daniel Hudson for us to put up zeroes against. This team can only hit mistakes. Davis had to tie it up or we lose, and he didn't, so we lose.

LOL. Davis is the only person in MLB who could get struck out by Sean Doolittle in that situation.

Davis nearly ties it up. Doolittle must be throwing like a pitching coach out there.

Thank you Sean Doolittle! His ERA was 10.88 coming in, and they HAVE to keep him in for at least 3 batters. Chance to tie it up!

One, two, three. One, two, three. One, two, three. Offensive power outage. I wonder how long it'll last? Historically, when the O's have a power outage, it lasts for about 30 games. That's half the season this year -- hope it's not that bad. Last night was an anomaly because the Nats basically conceded after we scored 4. If you look at the prevailing winds from the Marlins series and now, we're trending toward a power outage.

First and second, no outs, can't score. Yep, we're still the Orioles, in case anyone had any doubts.

In a short season it's entirely possible the Marlins have single-handedly sunk us with this series. That said, we probably didn't stand a chance anyway.

A lot of weak contact.

Can't keep the Marlins off the board. SMH.

Warning track power.

For those of you who want to try a Papadia or just like Papa John's, enter the coupon code "ORIOLESHR" tomorrow on the Papa Johns app or website and you get a free Papadia if you order a lg. pizza. Thanks to Santander.