Maddon, Kershaw talk Wrigley lighting delay

CHICAGO -- Cubs manager Joe Maddon spoke with Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw during batting practice on Tuesday about the 10-minute delay in Monday night's game between the clubs.

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The delay was triggered when scattered lights at Wrigley Field went dark in the bottom of the sixth inning before caming back on slowly. Umpires decided the field was sufficiently lighted by the remaining lights, but Maddon disagreed, coming out of the dugout twice to argue and playing the game under protest while Kershaw waited impatiently for the game to resume.

"The lights were not on," Maddon said Tuesday. "Also, this is one of the few fields where there's no backlighting, so that makes this lighting even more important. It was noticeable to me when it happened. My argument was you've got to be able to see spin on the baseball, and [Kershaw] is exceptional. With inadequate lighting and no backlighting, to see him do what he's doing out there, I thought was totally advantage to them. I'm going to argue against that."

After the Dodgers' 4-2 loss to the Cubs on Monday night, Kershaw said he was annoyed that the argument lasted long enough that it was taking a toll on his legs from standing on the mound.

"I just wanted to say, 'Get off the field and keep the game going,'" Kershaw said Monday night. "But standing around for 10 minutes, my legs were getting heavy. I wanted an answer. I don't know if Joe was trying to do it on purpose or what? It didn't affect me, but it was a good idea."

Maddon said he didn't know if he'd have a chance to win the protest.

"Of course, you're on defense and the guy's pitching, of course you're good with inadequate lighting," Maddon said. "But you're never good with that when you're on offense. It's just common sense."