Baltimore Orioles Will Play Next Game in Empty Stadium as Rioting Continues

Wednesday's game versus the Chicago White Sox will be closed to the public

It's going to be all work and very little play when the Baltimore Orioles play ball on Wednesday.

With games scheduled for Monday and today already postponed, tomorrow's game will go on but will be closed to the public as rioting continues across West Baltimore. Protests turned violent after police and demonstrators clashed following the funeral yesterday for 25-year-old Freddie Gray, who died on April 19 after suffering a spinal cord injury while in city police custody.

So, the Orioles will take on the Chicago White Sox at 2:05 p.m. ET in an empty stadium.

Fans were inititally informed during the ninth inning of Saturday's game due to demonstrations outside of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, which is in downtown Baltimore, that they had to sit tight while law enforcement got the scene under control. But since the game went into extra innings, spectators were allowed to leave by the time it was over.

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis tweeted afterward, "Big win tonight for the O's and The Charm City! Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone tonight. Be safe. Love y'all. #PrayForBaltimore."

The Orioles have also moved their weekend series with the Tampa Bay Rays to Tampa Bay.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency Monday and activated the state national guard, while Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake imposed a 10 p.m.-to-5 a.m. curfew that will go into effect tonight.

The Baltimore Ravens have also canceled a draft party event that was planned for Thursday at M&T Bank Stadium, right next to Camden Yards.

Former Ravens star Ray Lewis called for an end to the violence in an impassioned video he shared online.

"No way, no way. No way this can happen in our city," the Super Bowl winner launched into his heated argument. "Young kids, you got to understand something. Get off the streets. Violence is not the answer! Violence has never been the answer! Freddie Gray...we don't do nothing for him doing this"

"Kids, go home! Stay home! You have no right to do what you're doing, to this city!"

I've got a message for the rioters in Baltimore. #BaltimoreRiots

Posted by Ray Lewis on Tuesday, April 28, 2015