As if the 2011 Dodgers season couldn't get any more bizarre, Saturday night provided another turn for the sublime at Dodger Stadium. In the top of the fifth inning of tonight's game between the Dodgers and Marlins, smoke began to emanate from the reserved level and top deck at Dodger Stadium. It turns out there was a small fire in an enclosed area on the reserved level, which forced the evacuation of several fans on the top two levels from their seats.
↵The fans that were moved were on the first base side on the reserved and top levels, and were moved to the third base side. I suppose that is one benefit of the relatively minuscule crowds at Dodger Stadium this season: there are plenty of empty seats. The smoke has stayed and is still prevalent at the stadium some two innings later. Here is a shot from the press box.
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In a season that has seen the Dodgers have 12 players make 15 different trips to the disabled list, in which owner Frank McCourt continue his battle with his ex-wife and with public relations, in which MLB stepped in to oversee the day-to-day operations of the club, and in which the specter of a missed payroll is looming, tonight's incident at Dodger Stadium just might be the most bizarre in a truly wacky season.
↵For more news and information on the Dodgers, or on tonight's game, be sure to read the SB Nation blog True Blue LA.