Unusual Night at Wrigley Field: Rain, Fog, and Fireworks

Wrigley Field has witnessed numerous events over its 112-year history as the home of the Chicago Cubs. Fans have experienced rain delays, occasional fireworks displays, and fog rolling through the venue. On Saturday night, these unexpected elements combined for a unique experience during the Cubs’ game against the St. Louis Cardinals.

A 58-minute rain delay preceded the Cubs’ 3-0 loss to the Cardinals. As the rain cleared, fog rolled in, leading to a 15-minute fog delay before the seventh inning commenced. A postgame fireworks display marked the Independence Day celebrations. Cubs All-Star center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong expressed his astonishment, equating the night’s conditions to his experiences in youth soccer.

Cubs All-Star center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong said, “I’ve never seen anything like that. I’ll just leave it at that.”

The thunderstorm delayed the first pitch, transforming baseball into a secondary spectacle amid the night’s events. After the rain, an American flag covered most of the outfield during the national anthem. As fog thickened, Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt hit a home run off Cubs starter Shota Imanaga, and the Cardinals secured additional runs, hindering visibility and affecting play.

Crow-Armstrong faced challenges in center field due to the dense fog as well. Cardinals third baseman José Fermín struggled to spot a foul ball; the umpires subsequently halted the game. During the fog delay, 38,872 attendees sang “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” a song gaining popularity among fans.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell acknowledged visibility issues, explaining, “It was heavy fog, and during the stoppage, you couldn’t see a fly ball.”

The fog eventually lifted, restoring a perfect summer night atmosphere. However, the Cubs’ batting woes persisted. Despite opportunities, they stranded runners throughout the game. Imanaga regained composure after the initial home run but struggled against the Cardinals lineup, departing after 4 2/3 innings amid mounting pitch counts.

In addressing the performance, Counsell highlighted Imanaga’s consistency: “Shota’s reliability throughout a season plagued by injuries has been essential.”

Cubs Sign Jake Woodford

The Cubs continued their pursuit of pitching by signing right-hander Jake Woodford. To accommodate Woodford, they designated Bryse Wilson for assignment. Woodford had a 6.94 ERA over 16 games with the Milwaukee Brewers before transitioning to the Brewers’ minor-league system. He exercised an opt-out clause before joining the Cubs.

Prior to the game, Counsell discussed the strategic move, emphasizing the importance of depth: “We’re trying to ensure readiness for each game amid challenges.”

Injury Updates

Updates on player injuries included Matt Shaw’s continued recovery from a left hand sprain, which will extend beyond the All-Star break. Right-hander Jameson Taillon, recovering from a left hamstring strain, is scheduled for a rehab assignment at High A South Bend.

Contributions by the Associated Press supported this report.