Not much can keep the surging Oakland Athletics from continuing their hot streak and taking the American League West — not even rafts of sewage.
The A’s, who had to deal with a sewage backup in June that got into both clubhouses, had more problems on their hands Tuesday. Another backup spilled into the home dugout, and Oakland players “found vantage points to watch the game away from the mess,” according to USA Today.
“There’s no carpet down there [in the dugout], so it’s a little bit better, but it’s still pretty gross,” Jed Lowrie said. “It’s kind of repulsive, honestly.”
The sewage came from a bathroom next to the home dugout. USA Today reports that the “blockage was isolated to one toilet, which will be unclogged with use of a ‘snake’ before Wednesday’s 12:35 p.m. series finale,” according to A’s vice president of stadium operations David Rinetti.
Rinetti also said this mishap was not as bad as the June one.
The Athletics have long had trouble with O.co Coliseum, which is 45 years old, but keeping everything in flushing order takes on greater importance considering the A’s are looking ahead to the playoffs. They’re already selling tickets to the division series and are increasing their stadium capacity from 35,067 to 48,146 for the postseason games.
“There is always a concern that anything can happen, but I am hopeful that it won’t,” Rinnetti said of further problems.
Photos of the mishap were not readily available, but there are photos from game action on Tuesday night that become a lot funnier if viewed with the knowledge that there was sewage in the dugout. Check them out below.
Everyone has dry feet before this one begins.
Erick Aybar unsurprisingly wants nothing to do with whatever’s on Josh Donaldson‘s feet.
Jarrod Parker clears the nostrils.
The A’s find any reason they can to stay on dry land.
The smell appears to be getting to Jarrod Parker, Curt Young and Derek Norris.
A mound conference means getting out of the dugout for a minute.
The Athletics mob Josh Donaldson after the game-winning run. He did not unclog the toilet; he merely had the game-winning hit.
