Dodgers, Giants game postponed in wake of police shooting of Jacob Blake
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 25: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on August 25, 2020 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - The Major League Baseball game scheduled for Wednesday night between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants was postponed in the wake of the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
It was the third MLB game to be postponed Wednesday in the wake of Blake's shooting, which has prompted protests and marches across the nation. The game between the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds was the first in the majors to be postponed. The game between the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres soon followed.
In a joint statement, the Dodgers and Giants said, "Throughout our country's history, sport has been a powerful vehicle towards change. The Dodgers and Giants proudly join our players in the shared goal for a more equitable and just society."
Numerous MLB players spoke about the shooting and postponement on social media.
"Given the pain in the communities of Wisconsin and beyond following the shooting of Jacob Blake, we respect the decisions of a number of players not to play tonight. Major League Baseball remains united for change in our society and we will be allies in the fight to end racism and injustice," MLB said in a statement.
Wednesday night's game was rescheduled as part of a doubleheader Thursday, beginning at 1:05 p.m. PT, according to the Dodgers. Both games will be seven-inning regulation games.
Blake was shot several times in the back Sunday as he tried to enter his vehicle after a confrontation with police. Authorities have not provided any information about what led to the shooting, which was captured on video. A federal civil rights investigation into the shooting was opened Wednesday night, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
RELATED: DOJ opens federal civil rights investigation into shooting of Jacob Blake
Blake remains hospitalized with serious injuries.
Earlier in the day, all three NBA playoff games scheduled for Wednesday night, including that of the Los Angeles Lakers, were postponed, due to a boycott initiated by players on the Milwaukee Bucks over Blake's shooting.
"The NBA and the NBPA today announced that in light of the Milwaukee Bucks' decision to not take the floor today for Game 5 against the Orlando Magic, today's three games -- MIL-ORL, HOU-OKC and LAL-POR have been postponed. Game 5 of each series will be rescheduled," the league tweeted.
Shortly after the MLB announcement, Major League Soccer players announced they would be boycotting all five games scheduled for Wednesday night in a collective statement against racial injustice.
RELATED: 5 Major League Soccer games postponed amid professional sports protest against racial injustice