The Tampa Bay Rays have had their share of weather related issues at home this season despite playing at the domed Tropicana Field. On four different occasions, games have been delayed by power outages caused by lightning strikes near the ballpark.
Wednesday night's game against the Toronto Blue Jays was the latest in that unfortunate series after a section of lights failed following a power surge in the bottom of the third inning. According to the Rays, a lightning strike near the 16th Street substation was the source this time.*However, the storm seemed to be at its scariest in the top of the inning, and in particular when Toronto's Melky Cabrera was at the plate.
After Cabrera took a first-pitch from Rays hurler Chris Archer, a loud thunder was clearly audible on the broadcast. Honestly, though, even if you had the sound down, you knew something strange had happened based on Cabrera's reaction. He was nearly frightened out of his cleats by the sudden ruckus.
Not that we blame him. The thunder got a lot of people's attention. Believe us. But poor Melky couldn't hide his reation.*
Melky you are in a DOME! http://t.co/7FTwU8j0Ex
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) September 4, 2014
As a result of the outage, the game would be delayed 30 minutes. Though it would appear, at least based on these tweets by Scott MacArthur of TSN 1050 in Toronto, the playing conditions weren't that bad off even as the delay was ongoing.
I CAN'T SEE THE FIELD!!! #BlueJays #MLB #Rays pic.twitter.com/HvsGj79QVF
— Scott MacArthur (@TSNScottyMac) September 4, 2014
NOW I CAN SEE THE FIELD!!! #BlueJays #MLB #Rays pic.twitter.com/8h1AkFUzjN
— Scott MacArthur (@TSNScottyMac) September 4, 2014
Wouldn't appear to be much of a difference, but it's always better to be safe.
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Unfortunately, there's no clear word on how the fans were entertained during the delay. Earlier this season, they were treated to Looney Tunes cartoons on the scoreboard, which we felt was very creative.
The Blue Jays went to win Wednesday 7-4. At the time of the delay, they were leading 2-0.*

Cabrera finished 0 for 4 with a sacrifice fly.*
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813