David Ortiz had a two-run single in a five-run second inning as the Boston Red Sox built a big lead and held on for a 6-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night.

Adrian Beltre homered for the second straight night and J.D. Drew had three hits as the Red Sox bounced back to take two of three from the Orioles after dropping the series opener.

Daisuke Matsuzaka (9-4) got the win, allowing four runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out six and walked one.

Jonathan Papelbon pitched in and out of trouble in the ninth for his 35th save as Boston closed within 6 ½ games of idle Tampa Bay in the AL wild card chase.

Staked to the early 5-0 lead, Matsuzaka threw five scoreless innings of two-hit ball before unraveling in the sixth inning.

Nick Markakis has an RBI single and Matt Wieters added a two-run double in the four-run sixth to pull Baltimore within 5-4.

Wieters had three hits, including a pair of doubles, and is now 6-for-9 lifetime against the Japanese right-hander.

Orioles starter Brad Bergesen (6-10) had his three-game winning streak snapped, surrendering five runs - two earned - on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings.