A matchup between the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres was delayed 45 minutes on Thursday as smoke from wildfires burning in Canada continued to drift into the region, creating poor air conditions around PNC Park.
The game, originally set to begin at 12:35 p.m., was pushed to a 1:20 p.m. first pitch after officials determined conditions were unsafe. During the delay, the Pirates said they were monitoring both weather patterns and the local air quality index (AQI) before deciding whether to proceed.
When play finally got underway under hazy skies and with the stadium lights turned on in the early afternoon, Pirates veteran Andrew McCutchen wore a face mask while running the bases after a first-inning single. Several thousand fans, many of them children attending a daytime game, were in the stands despite the conditions.
“After collaborative discussions between Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Players Association, our medical experts at Allegheny Health Network, and our players and staff, we have made the decision to move forward with our game today,” the Pirates said in a statement. “We will continue to closely monitor AQI levels around the ballpark and respond accordingly.”
Air quality had already been an issue during Pittsburgh’s 7–1 win on Wednesday, and Thursday’s game marked the conclusion of a three-game series.
Padres manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday that MLB would consider postponing a game if the AQI reached 200. The AQI reportedly stood at 189 when Thursday’s delay was announced.
