In a first for major league baseball, a game will be played between two teams with no spectators in the ballpark. Because of the riots in Baltimore, which forced the cancelation of the first two games of three-game set between the Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago White Sox, the third game on Wednesday will be closed to the public, and played at 2:05 EST.

Monday’s 7:05 p.m. game was postponed for 40 minutes before it was canceled due to the riots near Camden Yards after the funeral of Freddie Gray, who died April 19 in police custody, allegedly from spinal cord and other injuries. Tuesday’s game, scheduled for the same time, was canceled Tuesday morning at 11 a.m.

The Orioles decided to play Wednesday’s game sans audience after they spoke with MLB officials in addition to city and local officials. Commissioner Rob Manfred released a statement saying, "After conversations with the Orioles and local officials, we believe that these decisions are in the best interests of fan safety and the deployment of City resources. Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by violence in Baltimore, and everyone in our game hopes for peace and the safety of a great American city."

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said, "It's going to be an interesting experience, a little bit different, but obviously from a safety standpoint, it makes sense."

MLB spokesman Matt Bourne would not answer how MLB would make up the lost revenue to the Orioles for the lost attendance. The Orioles stated that their series against the Tampa Bay Rays scheduled for this weekend would be played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, instead of Camden Yards. The Orioles will get last-at bats as the home team. A similar situation occurred in 1967, when riots in Detroit forced the Orioles and Tigers to shift games scheduled in Detroit to be played in Baltimore.

The missing White Sox games will be played as a single-admission doubleheader on May 28.