Un-Bee-Lievable: Swarm of Bees Descends on PETCO Park

Bee swarm delays Astros' 7-2 win

Consider this a PETCO Park first -- A game between the Houston Astros and San Diego Padres was delayed in the top of the ninth inning Thursday when a swarm of bees took over part of left field.

The Houston Astros -- who once had the "Killer B's" -- beat the San Diego Padres 7-2 on Thursday, but only after waiting out a 52-minute delay in the top of the ninth inning caused when a swarm of bees took over part of left field at Petco Park.

After Joe Thatcher's first pitch to Miguel Tejada with two outs in the ninth, Padres left fielder Kyle Blanks began walking in toward the infield. Second base umpire Mike Reilly walked toward left field to see what was going on.

Within minutes, the rest of the players left the field. The swarm first appeared along the warning track. Later, fans were cleared out of several sections down the left-field line.

Geoff Blum hit a three-run homer and finished with four RBIs. The Astros won three of four against the Padres.

A beekeeper was called to the downtown ballpark and sprayed a chair and a ballgirl's jacket that had attracted the bees. Padres president Tom Garfinkel said a few thousand bees attached themselves to a queen bee.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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