An upcoming MLB series between the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers has been moved to Tampa Bay’s Tropicana Field because of catastrophic flooding in southeast Texas resulting from Hurricane Harvey.
The series, originally scheduled from Tuesday to Thursday at Minute Maid Park, will now occur in a neutral site.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by Hurricane Harvey,” said Rays president Brian Auld in a media release. “The Rays are proud to assist our partners in Major League Baseball by hosting the series, and we appreciate the support from Rays staff and the community to make it a success.”
According to a release from the Texas Rangers, this is believed to be only the fourth time in the history of Major League Baseball that weather concerns have required the relocation of games to a neutral site.
It previously happened Sept. 14-15, 2008 (Chicago Cubs at Houston Astros, two games held at Miller Park in Milwaukee) due to Hurricane Ike; April 10-12, 2007 (Los Angeles Angels at Cleveland Indians, three games at Miller Park) due to snow and September 13-14, 2004 (Montreal Expos at Florida Marlins, two games at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago) due to Hurricane Ivan.
“The City of St. Petersburg welcomes the Astros and encourages fans of the Rays and the game of baseball to come out to Tropicana Field,” said St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman. “Our community is keeping Houston residents in our thoughts, contributing to relief efforts, and sending a delegation from St. Pete Fire & Rescue to the Houston area. Baseball has often served to bring people together and lift spirits during tough times. I am confident this week’s games will do just that.”
Hurricane Harvey began rocking Houston and the southeast Texas region on Aug. 23 with an estimated nine trillion gallons worth of rain falling on the region by Aug. 27.
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