Cubs manager David Ross rips decision to close Brewers' stadium roof during game
The Chicago Cubs may have won a wild game Tuesday at American Family Field over the Milwaukee Brewers, but Cubs manager David Ross had some pointed thoughts in the aftermath, including over the decision to close the stadium's retractable roof late in the game.
Ross was ejected along with first-base coach Mike Napoli in the 11th inning of the contest, both ostensibly upset with the work by home-plate umpire Erich Bacchus, who drew the ire from both sides during the game.
"Guys were starting to get frustrated," Ross said afterward. "I know it’s not an easy job but some of the pitches that got called (strikes) weren’t even close."
The Cubs nonetheless took a 7-6 lead in the 11th and held on when Ian Happ threw out a would-be tying runner at home plate for the final out of the game, marking his second outfield assist at home plate in extras.
But Ross also took issue with the roof closure in the eighth inning, coinciding with Milwaukee's late rally from a four-run deficit.
"They're closing the roof to get rid of the shadows late. There's a lot of (expletive) that went on today. It was just really frustrating," Ross said. "Thought it was (expletive)."
Dark clouds did gather in the area during the extra-innings portion of the game and rain reached parts of the Milwaukee area, though it was a nominal amount.
According to the Brewers' roof policies, the club has sole discretion over starting a game with the roof opened or closed, but mid-game changes require consultation with the umpiring crew chief.
Major League Baseball rules stipulate the roof shall only be closed in the event of adverse weather conditions, and the crew chief shall notify the visiting club, which can challenge the decision to close the roof if it feels that it creates a competitive imbalance. The umpires make a final decision after weighing the challenge.
The sun pouring through the windows near the roof on the first-base side of American Family Field have frequently created a challenging mixture of sunlight and shadows on the field during afternoon games like Tuesday's, a problem that remains in some part even when the roof is closed. It's uncommon for the Brewers to open or close the roof mid-game.
It's not the first time the Brewers have been accused of using the ballpark to their advantage. St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa famously filed a complaint with the umpiring crew during a 2011 game when he felt the Brewers were altering the lighting on their stadium "ribbon boards" during Cardinals at-bats.
In 2017, the Cubs − also somewhat famously − postponed a game two hours before first pitch against the Brewers at Wrigley Field, citing a forecast calling for rain. The afternoon proved to be one of comfortable playing weather, and Brewers officials suggested the forecasts they saw indicated a strong opportunity to play baseball. The Cubs, as it happened, were in need of some bullpen rest, and the teams had played a rainy game the day before.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Cubs manager David Ross upset with Brewers' roof closure during game
