Stadium lights issue suspends game in D.C.

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

The stadium darkened for a third time, and Yunel Escobar couldn’t help showing his frustration.

Washington’s third baseman dropped to his knees next to the bag, knowing that yet another delay was upcoming in this on-again, off-again clash between the Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers.

A game delayed three times because of a lighting malfunction was suspended after five innings Friday night with the Nationals leading the Dodgers 3-2.

“I’ve never seen anything like it before,” Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann said.

The game is scheduled to resume today at 2:05 p.m.

Each of the three delays was caused by a bank of lights on the third-base side going out. The first stoppage occurred in the fourth inning and lasted 1 hour, 22 minutes. Play resumed for nine minutes before the lights went out again.

Los Angeles led 2-1 in the middle of the fifth inning when the second delay occurred. It lasted 40 minutes.

Once the lights went back on, pitcher Tanner Roark doubled and Escobar homered off Chin-Hui Tsao for a 3-2 lead.

After the half inning ended, the Nationals were in the field, poised to start the sixth when that pesky set of lights cut off again.