MLB: Baltimore 7, Boston 1

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BALTIMORE, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Mark Reynolds capped a big sixth inning with a three-run homer Tuesday -- his second clout of the game -- and the Baltimore Orioles spanked Boston 7-1.

Clinging to 2-1 lead, Baltimore exploded for five runs in the sixth to take control of the contest.

The Orioles put J.J. Hardy and Adam Jones aboard with one out and Matt Wieters bounced a pitch off the plate for an infield hit, sending Hardy home for a two-run lead.

After Chris Davis added an RBI single to chase Boston starter Josh Beckett (5-10), Reynolds smacked the first pitch he saw from reliever Mark Melancon into the left-field stands for a three-run shot.

Reynolds had belted a solo homer in the previous frame while Omar Quintanilla added a bases-empty clout for the Orioles, who came into the contest with a half-game lead for an American League wild-card spot.

Wei-Yin Chen (11-7) tossed six innings of one-run ball to earn the victory, working around nine hits while walking one and striking out four.

Beckett finished by allowing six runs on six hits over 5 1/3 innings.

Carl Crawford went 2-for-4 with an RBI for the Red Sox.