First time in history match was played in an empty stadium due to Baltimore unrest

The players of the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox lined up for the national anthem this afternoon in front of an empty stadium, in unprecedented scenes never before witnessed in the history of baseball.

With the National Guard posted outside Camden Yards and thousands of Baltimore residents taking part in a march to city hall, the Orioles played the first ever MLB game behind closed doors.

The players took the field to an otherwise eerily silent stadium with 45,000 empty seats and the Orioles romped home to an 8-2 victory.

Sirens could be heard ringing outside during the game as a reminder the city is still reeling following Monday's tumultuous riots that hit after the funeral of Freddie Gray who died after suffering a fatal injury in police custody.

'Baseball history will be made here today,' said broadcaster Gary Thorne and the game began.

As the sound of ball on bat echoed around the stadium, a first-inning home run was met with only cheers from the Orioles dugout.

The game played out under a huge police presence outside and inside the stadium while fans tried to get a glimpse through iron fences around the ball park.

Indeed, all around the stadium concession stands where hordes of fans would usually line for hot dogs, peanuts and beer were closed, making the picturesque arena resemble a ghost town.

But the only thing missing on a perfect spring afternoon to take in the nation's favorite pastime were the fans.