Watch: Nationals' Perez helps Braves grounds crew with tarp

Washington Nationals reliever Oliver Perez came out of the bullpen to provide a different kind of relief Saturday night.

A massive rain storm descended upon SunTrust Park at the end of the fifth inning, sending the Nationals and Atlanta Braves into a delay. But the storm came with incredibly high winds, leaving members of the grounds crew literally risking life and limb to get the tarp on the infield.

An extra hand was clearly needed, and Perez was more than ready to pitch in, so to speak. The left-hander sauntered in from the bullpen and helped them steady the tarp amid the harsh winds to a standing ovation from the crowd.

After a delay of almost two hours, the teams resumed play in the top of the sixth inning with Atlanta leading 3-2.