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Marlins Home Opener Delayed After Cat Runs on Field, Stays on Home Run Sculpture

The Miami Marlins had several special guests during their home opener Tuesday night – but it was one uninvited feline who stole the show during the team’s 8-4 win.

Midway through the game, a cat came onto the field and hid under the outfield wall at Marlins Park - delaying the game for several minutes as right fielder Giancarlo Stanton and a grounds crew member tried to get the furry fan out. The cat continued to run along the wall before climbing a scoreboard fence and taking a seat on the team’s home run sculpture in center field.

On Thursday, Miami Marlins said the cat was spotted in the park the night before and adopted by a front office member of the team.

Marlins president David Samson said if a home run had been hit during the home opener, the sculpture would not have been activated for fear of harming the cat.

He stayed up there for four innings,'' said Marcell Ozuna, the Marlins' left fielder who hit two home runs before the cat took their place. “Every time I went on defense, I looked up there and the cat was hiding its head. I said, `What are you doing up there?' In the last inning I didn't see it. I don't know where he went.''

The team held a contest on their Twitter account of what to name the animal, given the hashtag #RallyCat during its journey.

Ozuna said he didn't buy the notion the cat brought good luck.

“I detest cats,'' he said.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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