Orioles, White Sox play 1st MLB game with no crowd — PHOTOS
Camden Yards Empty As Orioles Face White Sox
Apr 29, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez (31) pitches during the seventh inning against the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Fans are not allowed to attend the game due to the current state of unrest in Baltimore. Baltimore Orioles defeated Chicago White Sox 8-2. (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)
Apr 29, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Chicago White Sox designated hitter Adam LaRoche (25) stands at the top of the dugout during the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Fans are not allowed to attend the game due to the current state of unrest in Baltimore. (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)
A Chicago White Sox outfielder stands during their American League baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards baseball stadium in Baltimore, Maryland April 29, 2015. In what will be a first for Major League Baseball, the Baltimore Orioles will host the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday in a stadium closed to fans as Baltimore copes with some of the worst U.S. urban rioting in years. (REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)
Baltimore Orioles first baseman crosses second after hitting a home run during their American League baseball game against Camden Yards baseball stadium in Baltimore, Maryland April 29, 2015. In what will be a first for Major League Baseball, the Baltimore Orioles will host the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday in a stadium closed to fans as Baltimore copes with some of the worst U.S. urban rioting in years. (REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)
Apr 29, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Members of the media take photos of first inning action of the game between Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Fans are not allowed to attend the game due to the current state of unrest in Baltimore. (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)
Apr 29, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (29) speaks with Chicago catcher Geovany Soto (58) on the pitcher's mound during the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Fans are not allowed to attend the game due to the current state of unrest in Baltimore. (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)
Apr 29, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; A general view of the game field level in the second inning of the game between Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Fans are not allowed to attend the game due to the current state of unrest in Baltimore. (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)
A Baltimore Orioles player stands in the dugout and looks at empty seats before the start of their American League baseball game Chicago White Sox American League baseball game at Camden Yards baseball stadium in Baltimore, Maryland April 29, 2015. In what will be a first for Major League Baseball, the Baltimore Orioles will host the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday in a stadium closed to fans as Baltimore copes with some of the worst U.S. urban rioting in years. (REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)
A Chicago White Sox outfielder throws the ball during American League baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards baseball stadium in Baltimore, Maryland April 29, 2015. In what will be a first for Major League Baseball, the Baltimore Orioles will host the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday in a stadium closed to fans as Baltimore copes with some of the worst U.S. urban rioting in years. (REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)
Apr 29, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph (36) swings on a Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (29) pitch during the third inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Fans are not allowed to attend the game due to the current state of unrest in Baltimore. (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)
Apr 29, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph (36) hits a RBI single during the third inning against the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Fans are not allowed to attend the game due to the current state of unrest in Baltimore. (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)
Apr 29, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Fans watch the game between the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles from a balcony of a hotel at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Fans are not allowed to attend the game due to the current state of unrest in Baltimore. (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)
Apr 29, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Fans watch the game between the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles from a balcony of a hotel at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Fans are not allowed to attend the game due to the current state of unrest in Baltimore. (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)
Apr 29, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) celebrates with teammates during the third inning after scoring against the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Fans are not allowed to attend the game due to the current state of unrest in Baltimore. (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)
Apr 29, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez (31) pitches during the fourth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Fans are not allowed to attend the game due to the current state of unrest in Baltimore. (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)
Baltimore Orioles first baseman crosses second after hitting a home run during their American League baseball game against Camden Yards baseball stadium in Baltimore, Maryland April 29, 2015. In what will be a first for Major League Baseball, the Baltimore Orioles will host the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday in a stadium closed to fans as Baltimore copes with some of the worst U.S. urban rioting in years. (REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)
A Baltimore Orioles ball girl stands between innings during their American League baseball game against the Chicago White Sox at Camden Yards baseball stadium in Baltimore, Maryland April 29, 2015. In what will be a first for Major League Baseball, the Baltimore Orioles will host the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday in a stadium closed to fans as Baltimore copes with some of the worst U.S. urban rioting in years. (REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)
Chicago White Sox Gordon Beckham sits in the dugout during their American League baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards baseball stadium in Baltimore, Maryland April 29, 2015. In what will be a first for Major League Baseball, the Baltimore Orioles will host the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday (April 29) in a stadium closed to fans as Baltimore copes with some of the worst U.S. urban rioting in years. (REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)
Camden Yards ballpark sits empty of fans during the Baltimore Orioles against Chicago White Sox American League baseball game in Baltimore, Maryland April 29, 2015. In what will be a first for Major League Baseball, the Baltimore Orioles will host the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday in a stadium closed to fans as Baltimore copes with some of the worst U.S. urban rioting in years. (REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)
Apr 29, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baseball fans watch the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles play from outside the Camden street gates during the eighth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Fans are not allowed to attend the game due to the current state of unrest in Baltimore. Baltimore Orioles defeated Chicago White Sox 8-2. (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)
Apr 29, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; A baseball fan hold a sign stating "Don't forget Freddie Gray" during eighth inning of the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles game on Camden Street during the eighth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Fans are not allowed to attend the game due to the current state of unrest in Baltimore. Baltimore Orioles defeated Chicago White Sox 8-2. (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)
Relief pitchers sit in the bullpen at Camden Yards ballpark during the Baltimore Orioles against Chicago White Sox American League baseball game in Baltimore, Maryland April 29, 2015. In what will be a first for Major League Baseball, the Baltimore Orioles will host the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday in a stadium closed to fans as Baltimore copes with some of the worst U.S. urban rioting in years. (REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)
Apr 29, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles celebrate after defeating Chicago White Sox 8-2 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Fans are not allowed to attend the game due to the current state of unrest in Baltimore. (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)
Apr 29, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) speaks with the media after the game against the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Fans are not allowed to attend the game due to the current state of unrest in Baltimore. Baltimore Orioles defeated Chicago White Sox 8-2. (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)
Apr 29, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles outfielder react after defeating Chicago White Sox 8-2 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Fans are not allowed to attend the game due to the current state of unrest in Baltimore. (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)
Apr 29, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles outfielder react after defeating Chicago White Sox 8-2 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Fans are not allowed to attend the game due to the current state of unrest in Baltimore. (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)
Apr 29, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Zach Britton (53) and catcher Caleb Joseph (36) speak after defeating the Chicago White Sox 8-2 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Fans are not allowed to attend the game due to the current state of unrest in Baltimore. (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)
Apr 29, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles celebrate after defeating Chicago White Sox 8-2 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Fans are not allowed to attend the game due to the current state of unrest in Baltimore. (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)
Camden Yards ballpark is seen without fans in this aerial image as a Baltimore Orioles player, wearing a white colored uniform, races towards home plate during the team's baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Baltimore, Maryland April 29, 2015. In what will be a first for Major League Baseball, the Baltimore Orioles will host the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday in a stadium closed to fans as Baltimore copes with some of the worst U.S. urban rioting in years. (REUTERS/Adrees Latif)
BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox played the first game in major league history that was not open to the public on Wednesday.
Cheering, screaming and yelling were strangely absent on a sunny spring afternoon, but the game went on in an eerily quiet Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Just a few miles from where rioters trashed, burned and looted only two nights before, the Orioles and White Sox played a private baseball game. Chris Davis hit a three-run homer in the first inning and right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez pitched seven strong innings as the Orioles posted an 8-2 victory over the White Sox.
The troubles in the streets still are simmering, and players talked before the game about their concerns for the difficult situation. In the end, though, the Orioles and White Sox needed to play a game — one where Baltimore quickly took command and needed only two hours and three minutes to finish the job.
The Orioles, who have now won three straight after a five-game losing streak, quickly removed most of the suspense in the game, scoring six first-inning runs off White Sox starter Jeff Samardzija (1-2).
