GAME STOPPED: Torrential Rain Delays Pirates vs. Red Sox
Pirates vs. Red Sox Game Paused by Big Storms: A Simple Guide
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates were winning against the Boston Red Sox, but Mother Nature had other plans. A massive line of thunderstorms rolled into PNC Park, forcing the game to stop. Here’s everything you need to know, explained simply.
What Happened at PNC Park?
- When: August 16, 2026 (series finale vs. Boston Red Sox)
- Where: PNC Park, Pittsburgh
- Game status: Top of the 7th inning (after the Pirates batted in the 6th)
- Score when stopped: Pirates 7, Red Sox 3
- Delay started: 3:32 p.m.
- Weather: Heavy rain, thunder, and winds over 45 mph coming from the west.
- Forecast (AccuWeather): Storms expected to last until around 5:00 p.m., so a long break is likely.
- Fan safety: The team asked everyone in the stands to move under the concourses (the covered walkways) to stay dry and safe.
Important: This is the 10th rain delay for the Pirates this season — and the 6th since late June. Five of those six happened right here at PNC Park.
Why So Many Rain Delays in 2026?
The weather has not been kind to Pittsburgh this year. Here’s a quick timeline:
| Date | Opponent | Location | What Happened |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 16 | Red Sox | PNC Park | Delay in 7th inning (current game) |
| Aug 7 | Mets | PNC Park | 36-minute delay in 3rd inning |
| Aug 1 | Reds | Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati) | 1 hr 40 min delay in 6th inning; Pirates won after resume |
| July 21 | Yankees | Yankee Stadium | Game canceled → made up as part of a doubleheader next day |
| July 17 | Guardians | Progressive Field (Cleveland) | Game canceled → doubleheader next day |
| July 10 | Brewers | PNC Park | Game canceled → doubleheader next day |
What’s a doubleheader? Two games played back-to-back on the same day, usually because an earlier game was rained out.
How the Pirates Built a 7-0 Lead (Before the Rain)
The Pirates have struggled against left-handed pitchers all year — but not this time! Red Sox starter Patrick Sandoval (a lefty) got hit hard.
1st Inning: Quick 2 Runs
- Esmerlyn Valdez (right fielder) hit a double (two-base hit).
- Bryan Reynolds (designated hitter — a player who only bats, doesn’t field) hit another double, scoring Valdez.
- Brandon Lowe (second baseman) hit a single, scoring Reynolds.
→ Pirates 2, Red Sox 0
3rd Inning: Explosion — 5 Runs!
- Six hits, one walk, and one sacrifice fly (a fly ball out that lets a runner score).
- Final tally: 5 runs → Pirates 7, Red Sox 0
Pitching: Good Start, Then a Homer
| Pitcher | Role | Innings | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Bachar (RHP) | Starter | 3 | Scoreless — no runs allowed |
| Hunter Barco (LHP, rookie) | Reliever | 3 | Allowed 3-run home run to Red Sox catcher Connor Wong |
→ Score after 6 innings: Pirates 7, Red Sox 3
ELI5: A "home run" means the batter hit the ball over the fence — automatic run for him and anyone on base. Wong’s hit scored three runs at once.
What’s at Stake? (Series Implications)
- Pirates won Game 1 on Aug 14: 8-4.
- If they win today (Game 3), they win the series 2-1.
- A series win = big confidence boost!
What Happens Next?
- Wait for storms to pass (forecast says ~5:00 p.m.).
- Grounds crew will dry the field (tarps off, blowers on, dirt raked).
- Umpires inspect field → decide if safe to play.
- Game resumes from exactly where it stopped: top of 7th, Pirates up 7-3.
- If it gets too late or weather worsens → game could be suspended (finished tomorrow) or canceled (rare, but happened 3x in July).
Stay updated: Pirates OnSI will post live updates on restart time or cancellation.
KEY TAKEAWAYS (Callout Box)
Pirates lead 7-3 after 6 innings
10th rain delay of 2026 season — 5 of last 6 at PNC Park
3 rainouts in July → led to doubleheaders
Valdez, Reynolds, Lowe sparked early offense
Barco gave up 3-run HR to Wong
Win today = series win (Pirates lead 1-0)
Storms until ~5 PM → long delay expected
Fans moved to concourses for safety
Summary
The Pittsburgh Pirates were cruising with a 7-3 lead over the Boston Red Sox when a powerful storm system hit PNC Park, forcing a rain delay at 3:32 p.m. This is the 10th rain delay of a frustrating, wet 2026 season — with five of the last six at home. The Pirates jumped out early thanks to back-to-back doubles from Esmerlyn Valdez and Bryan Reynolds, plus a five-run third inning. Starter Lake Bachar was perfect for three innings, but rookie Hunter Barco allowed a three-run homer to Connor Wong. If the Pirates hold on after the delay, they’ll take the series 2-1. For now, fans are safe under the concourses, and everyone waits for the skies to clear.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is a rain delay in baseball?
A rain delay is when umpires stop the game because of wet weather (rain, lightning, high winds). The game pauses exactly where it is — same score, same inning, same batters — and resumes later if conditions improve.
2. What happens if the game can’t resume today?
If the weather doesn’t clear, the game may be suspended and finished tomorrow from the exact same spot. If it’s an official game (5+ innings) and the home team is ahead, it could be called final — but here, the Pirates are ahead in the 7th, so it would likely be suspended.
3. Why so many rain delays at PNC Park this year?
Pittsburgh’s summer weather has been unusually stormy, with frequent afternoon/evening thunderstorms. PNC Park’s location near the rivers can also make it prone to sudden downpours and wind.
4. What’s a “designated hitter” (DH)?
In the American League (and now interleague games), the DH bats in place of the pitcher. Bryan Reynolds was the DH — he only hits, doesn’t play defense. This lets a strong hitter stay in the lineup without fielding.
5. What’s a “sacrifice fly”?
A batter hits a fly ball that’s caught for an out, but a runner on third base tags up and scores. It counts as an RBI (run batted in) for the batter, but not an at-bat — so it doesn’t hurt their batting average.
For live updates, visit Pirates OnSI — your home for Pirates news, insights, and post-delay coverage.