The Twins and Rangers were scoreless in the top of the fourth inning in Arlington when a deafening sound rudely interrupted Ryan Doumit’s second plate appearance of the afternoon.
“That’s the loudest noise I’ve ever heard. I thought Jesus was comin!,” Twins center fielder Denard Span tweeted during the ensuing delay.
Rangers right-hander Roy Oswalt was on the rubber preparing to throw a pitch when the flash and sound caused him to cringe. [Mike] Napoli immediately took off running toward the dugout, as did Doumit. [Josh] Willingham dropped in a heap, and first base coach Jerry White also squatted low before scrambling off the field.
Umpire crew chief Jeff Kellogg, who was at first base, immediately stopped the game and got the (remaining) players off the field.
The grounds crew pulled the tarp over the infield, fighting gusty winds to get it in place. It started to rain about 10 minutes after play was stopped.
“My heart stopped when I heard the thunder at the stadium. Glad no one heard me scream like a little girl too!! Lol,” Twins right fielder Ben Revere tweeted.
After a 46-minute delay and changes of underwear, the teams resumed play. The Rangers ultimately won, 4–3, in 13 innings.