NL CENTRAL Pirates-Cubs rained out; twinbill today as some fans angry over tickets

A day-night doubleheader wasn't possible so Friday's fans must get a refund.
CHICAGO (AP) -- The Chicago Cubs had more to contend with than the Pittsburgh Pirates in their quest for a playoff spot. Rain took over at Wrigley Field on Friday.
The weather washed out the game and forced the Cubs to play a doubleheader today as they chase their first division title since 1989.
It also sent thousands of fans home angry.
The Cubs and Houston Astros were tied in the NL Central heading into the final three games.
Houston hosted the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night.
Disappointed fans booed loudly after learning that their tickets can't be used for today's doubleheader that begins at 1:25 p.m.
Wait until next year
A handful of angry fans surrounded the door to the team's customer relations department, waving their arms and yelling. The game never started and was called off after a delay of 1 hour, 40 minutes.
"The sense I had is that they wanted to see a game," Cubs president Andy MacPhail said, adding that the fans could exchange Friday's ticket for a cash refund or for a ticket to a game next season.
"I'm sorry, I truly am," MacPhail said. "There is nothing I would have liked more than to play the game. ... At this point, we are just unable to accommodate them."
Today's originally scheduled game was already sold out and MacPhail said having a day-night doubleheader that would accommodate two separate admissions couldn't be done.
For one, the Cubs have already used up their allotment of night games at Wrigley Field. It would also be difficult, MacPhail said, to do all the logistical work for a day-night twinbill on such short notice. And the weather forecast for Saturday calls for more rain.
Dan Schweska of Springfield and his wife Lisa brought their kids, Nicholas, 7, and Erin, 3, to see their first Cubs game.
They made the three-hour drive Thursday night, stayed in a hotel and had even taken Nicholas out of school for the day.
"It was going to be his first one," Dan Schweska said, pointing at his son. "That's the worst part about it. We can't even go to a game tomorrow.
"He's been talking about this for weeks. What's not right is the people tomorrow get to see two games. With three games left and as big as what's going on, they should have found a way to let us use our tickets."
Television plan
Two hours after the game was called, the Cubs announced an agreement with Fox Sports to get both games televised with the first game moved to 1:25 for a local simulcast.
Mark Prior and Matt Clement will pitch for the Cubs in the doubleheader against Pittsburgh's Josh Fogg and Ryan Vogelsong.
"You got to do what you got to do. You can't control the weather," Cubs manager Dusty Baker said, admitting the doubleheader will make it difficult to plan too far ahead for the postseason -- if the Cubs make it.
It could also force regulars to do double duty today.
"You got to deal with the elements. If it requires winning two, you need to win two," Baker added.
Prior, 9-1 since the All-Star game, was initially scheduled to go Friday. He'll now be pitching on five days' rest.
The Cubs will be playing their third doubleheader of the season -- all in September. They split the other two, including one with the Pirates last week in Pittsburgh.
"You want to play, you never want a rainout," Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon said. "I'm sure the Cubs don't want a rainout given their situation. Are we disappointed? Yeah."
If the Cubs and Astros finish in a tie, there would be a one-game playoff Monday at Wrigley Field.
Kerry Wood is slated to pitch Sunday for the Cubs if they haven't clinched.