As the record-setting crowd came ready for history at the MLB Speedway Classic, they had to wait a little longer than expected. Just after Hall of Famers Chipper Jones and Johnny Bench teamed up with NASCAR stars Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott for the ceremonial first pitch, heavy rain rolled in. It delayed the game for 2 hours and 17 minutes. As the attendees settled in, concern began to build about the Reds’ rookie pitcher Chase Burns. He was reportedly dealing with a possible injury, casting uncertainty over whether he’d make his anticipated start.

But he eventually did. Burns, a former Tennessee Volunteers standout hailing from Hendersonville, Tennessee, started for the Reds in what marked the first-ever MLB game held in the state.

It all took a concerning turn when Reds’ manager Terry Francona offered a vague but telling update to FOX reporters during the game. “It’ll be a little while,” Francona said.

“What are you going to do? The unfortunate thing is (Burns) got loose. We’ll have to make some adjustments. I hope he can (pitch). This is our young kid. We’ll figure something out,” he added. While Francona did not explicitly confirm an injury, his comments hint at a possible issue that forced a change in plans.

Whether it’s precautionary or more serious remains to be seen, but fans were left wondering if Burns had been pulled due to discomfort or another unexpected issue. But after a while, he made his way towards the mound to start for the Reds and opened with a strikeout.

In his first start with the Reds, he struck out two batters and retired the side in order in only 18 pitches. However, that was it. As per Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the game was suspended soon after the first inning due to continuing inclement weather. The game is scheduled to resume Sunday afternoon, but it’s unlikely that Burns will return to the mound.

What went wrong at the MLB Speedway Classic between the Braves and the Reds?

Apparently, it’s Mother Nature. After all the waiting, the MLB Speedway Classic began with over two hours of rain delay. It was followed by another delay after less than a full inning. Eventually, the second delay led to the suspension of play until Sunday.

The Reds will take a 1-0 lead into the next day, as they scored off an Austin Hays single to left. The delay was so extended that the Braves had to scratch their starting pitcher, Spencer Strider, from the lineup. He was warming up before the delay and was set to start until he was pulled out.

Instead, the Braves brought in Austin Cox, the left-handed reliever who had started only three games across his MLB career. The Braves planned to rely on their bullpen in this game. Meanwhile, the Reds rolled in Burns, who produced a 1-2-3 inning to start the game.

As the rain continued to hit the converted diamond of the racetrack, the tarp came out. And soon enough, Michael Hill, MLB senior vice president of on-field operations, made an announcement. “We’ll be back tomorrow, 1 o’clock resume. We are optimistic for a better weather forecast tomorrow,” he said. Well, let’s hope for the same.