Boston, MA – Shane Victorino recorded his first multi-homer game in more than five years, driving in a career-best seven runs with a 3- for-3 performance, as Boston belted Baltimore, 13-2, in the opener of a three- game set.
"You can't please everybody. But if I can go out there every night, do my best, come inside, look myself in the mirror and say I gave 100 percent, that's the only person I need to answer to," said Victorino.
Dustin Pedroia contributed three hits and two RBI, while Johnny Gomes added a two-run double and Mike Napoli hit a solo shot for the Red Sox, winners of three in a row and six of the last nine.
Felix Doubront (10-6) worked 6 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and two runs, fanning seven with only one walk.
Brian Roberts and Manny Machado knocked in runs for the Orioles, who had won three of four coming in.
Wei-Yin Chen (7-7) was gone after 3 2/3 frames, charged with eight hits and as many runs.
"It seemed like every time Wei-Yin made a mistake, he paid for it," manager Buck Showalter said. "He jerked some balls across the plate and left some out over there where he usually doesn't do it."
Napoli began the bottom of the fourth by clearing the stands over the Green Monster, then the hosts expanded that advantage to 8-2 thanks to a two-run, bases-loaded ground-rule double from Pedroia and a two-run double with the sacks full from Gomes.
In the fifth, Stephen Drew walked with one out and Jacoby Ellsbury singled with two away before Victorino's second homer of the game sailed into the night for an 11-2 Boston edge.
Victorino's two-out, two-run double in the seventh pushed the BoSox lead to 11 runs and capped the scoring.
Victorino walked with one down in the first, Pedroia doubled and a David Ortiz fly to center produced Boston's first run.
Baltimore picked up two in the third on a bases-loaded walk to Roberts and a Machado sacrifice fly, but the Sox jumped back on top in the home half after Will Middlebrooks reached with a leadoff single and Victorino clubbed a one- out, two-run homer.
Game Notes
Victorino last went deep twice in one game on July 12, 2008, for the Phillies in a 10-4 loss against Arizona. His first homer on Tuesday was the 100th in his career ... Boston's 11-run triumph was its largest margin of victory since a 12-1 decision at San Francisco on Aug. 21 ... Prior to the contest, the O's reinstated infielder Wilson Betemit from the 60-day disabled list and optioned infielder Ryan Flaherty to Frederick of the Carolina League ... Also before the game, the Red Sox acquired outfielder Quintin Berry from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for pitcher Clayton Mortensen.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.