BOSTON, Massachusetts, 17 October 2004 — The American League Championship Series Game Three was rained out on Friday, with Boston and the New York Yankees was to resume the best-of seven series the next day.
Steady rain began falling several hours before the scheduled start, and as the weather worsened Major League Baseball officials decided to reschedule.
“The forecast that we had was not encouraging at all,” MLB executive vice president of operations Sandy Alderson said. “We expected even heavier rain, starting at about 9 or 9:30. We waited as long as we did in order to test the forecast. As time went on, I think we had more and more confidence in the
ultimate forecast.”
Now the third game of the series was set for Saturday, with the fourth game today. If needed, a fifth game will be inserted tomorrow, which would have been a travel day.
New York pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre announced that Kevin Brown, Friday’s scheduled starter, will pitch game three on Saturday.
“I know he was ready to pitch tonight,” Stottlemyre said. “He went back and forth. He’s very anxious to pitch and was hoping that it would happen because he’s very prepared.”
He will face Bronson Arroyo, who was slated to start for the Red Sox on Friday.
The Yankees hold a 2-0 series lead after posting victories at home over Boston co-aces Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez.
Boston manager Terry Francona, who announced Thursday that Derek Lowe would start Game Five in place of the injured Schilling, could come back with Martinez instead should the game be necessary.
“We have not made that determination yet,” Francona said. “I know it is a possibility. When the time comes, we’ll announce what we think is in our best interests.”
