MLB: Baltimore 6, Boston 4

BOSTON, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- A two-run single in the eighth by Vladimir Guerrero climaxed a Baltimore comeback Wednesday and boosted the Orioles to a 6-4 victory over Boston.

The faltering Red Sox lost for the third time in four games and fell to 5-16 in September. They nevertheless gained a half game on Tampa Bay in the American League wild-card race because the Rays lost twice to the New York Yankees. The Los Angeles Angels, however, have moved into the wild-card picture, joining the Rays in trailing Boston by 2 1/2 games.

Boston was officially eliminated from the AL East pennant race when the Yankees produced their double header sweep of the Rays and clinched the division title.

The Red Sox had a 4-1 lead heading into the sixth but J.J. Hardy singled in a run in that inning and Mark Reynolds tied it with a two-run homer in the seventh. Reynolds also had a solo shot in the second and now has 36 homers for the season.

Baltimore went in front in the eighth when Hardy singled with one out and moved to third on a ground-rule double by Nick Markakis. Alfredo Aceves relieved Josh Beckett (13-6) and promptly gave up a single to center by Guerrero that scored both runners.

That made a winner out of Clay Rapada (2-0), who retired the last batter in the seventh inning and the first in the eighth. Beckett lost for the first time in six starts.