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Andrew McCutchen is wearing a mask in the dugout due to the smoke around the stadium.
CNN –
Thursday’s matinee MLB game between the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park has been delayed 45 minutes due to poor air conditions caused by persistent smoke from Canada’s wildfires.
The game was originally scheduled to start at 12:35 PM ET, but the game was rescheduled to start at 1:20 PM ET.
Following the announcement of the delay, the Pirates released a statement saying the team would continue play after consulting with the league and experienced medical providers, among others.
“Following collaborative discussions between Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Players Association, our team of medical experts at Allegheny Health Network, our players and staff, we made the decision today to move our game forward,” the Pirates said in a statement.
“We will continue to closely monitor air quality index readings around the ballpark and respond accordingly.”
Gene J Puskar/AP
During the game, haze from Canadian wildfires hangs over downtown Pittsburgh and PNC Park.
After the game started, the broadcast showed Pirates star Andrew McCutchen putting on a mask at first base after hitting a single in the first inning.
Some fans in the stadium could also be seen wearing face masks in the broadcast.
The Pirates were victorious in the series finale, defeating the Padres 5-4. Pittsburgh will next host the Milwaukee Brewers in a three-game series that begins Friday.