Orioles return home to play for fans

BALTIMORE — As the Baltimore Orioles prepared to play before their home fans for the first time in two weeks, the sights and sounds around Camden Yards on a lovely afternoon were all about baseball.

Vendors were hawking food, drinks and clothing. A few people were camped out near the home team parking lot, seeking autographs. About a half-dozen were looking to buy tickets at the window in the B&O Warehouse behind the center-field wall.

There was one police car visible on the north edge of Camden Yards — a stark contrast to the Orioles’ last game in Baltimore.

The city had been overrun by violence on April 27 after the funeral of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man who died while in the custody of Baltimore police. Then, in an unprecedented move, the Orioles hosted the Chicago White Sox on April 29 without allowing fans to enter.

Hamilton hitless in rehab appearance

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton went 0 for 4 in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Round Rock.

Hamilton played left field for the first seven innings of an 8-2, 10-inning win against Nashville at First Tennessee Park. The 2010 AL MVP is 1 for 7 for a .143 batting average in his first two rehab games.

The 33-year-old Hamilton is on the 15-day disabled list after undergoing right shoulder surgery in February. He was acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels on April 27, with Los Angeles expected to pay most of the remaining $80.2 million he is owed.

NFL’s Chargers paid to play at stadium

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Chargers were paid nearly $3.3 million by the city to play at Qualcomm Stadium from 2006 through 2013, thanks to rent credits and reimbursements from a settlement that made the stadium compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Without the ADA settlement and rent credits, the Chargers would have owed the city nearly $23 million during that span, according to figures provided by the city.

Final figures for the 2014 season haven’t been calculated. Rather than pay $3 million rent, the Chargers likely will make around $250,000, according to city estimates.

The Chargers are threatening to move to Los Angeles if they don’t get a new stadium.

An advisory group appointed by Mayor Kevin Faulconer has already recommended that a new stadium be built near the old one in Mission Valley, not downtown.