Advertisement

Orioles make drastic schedule changes because of Baltimore riots

For the second straight day the Baltimore Orioles have postponed their scheduled game against the Chicago White Sox due to ongoing unrest in the city, but that was just the beginning of the changes.

The Orioles announced that Wednesday's game against the White Sox will be played, but it will not be open to the public.

The team also said this weekend's three-game series in Baltimore will be moved to Tampa, with the Orioles being the home team against the Rays.

Protests over the death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old African-American man who died April 19 from spinal cord and other injuries allegedly suffered at the hands of police, have been taking place in Baltimore since Saturday. The demonstrations turned especially violent on Monday following Gray's funeral, which led to the postponement of that night's game at Camden Yards about a half-hour before first pitch.

The Orioles released the news of Tuesday's postponement through their Twitter account:

Monday and Tuesday’s postponed games will be made up as part of a doubleheader on May 28.

The Baltimore Ravens have already announced they were canceling their NFL draft party scheduled for Thursday night at nearby M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore's mayor initiated a citywide curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Commissioner Rob Manfred, who happened to be in Baltimore this week on a previously scheduled visit, had suggested the Orioles could play elsewhere for the time being, like at Nationals Park in Washington.

More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:

- - - - - - -

Israel Fehr is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at israelfehr@yahoo.ca or follow him on Twitter.