Wakefield, Youkilis stymie O's to lift Red Sox

Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, who is on the disabled list due to a ruptured tendon in his left wrist, stretches his left wrist during batting practice prior to the Red Sox's baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park in Boston, Friday, July 11, 2008. Ortiz was able to take batting practice. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

BOSTON—Kevin Youkilis had a career-high six RBIs, thanks to his first grand slam, and Tim Wakefield pitched seven innings of two-hit ball Saturday night to lead the Boston Red Sox to a 12-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

J.D. Drew and Manny Ramirez homered on consecutive pitches in the first inning, and Youkilis cleared the bases in the third when the Red Sox scored seven times to chase Radhames Liz (3-2). Youkilis also added a sacrifice fly in the fourth and a run-scoring infield single in the eighth.

Wakefield (6-6) retired his last 13 batters after walking Adam Jones with one out in the third inning. Jones went to second on a passed ball -- the only base runner besides Ramon Hernandez, who hit a solo homer, to get that far against the Boston starter.

Liz, who allowed eight runs in 2 1-3 innings, has given up 12 earned runs in six innings over two starts since starting the season 3-0. He also walked three and hit a batter, all in the third inning when the Red Sox scored as many runs to support Wakefield as they had in his six losses this season combined.

Dustin Pedroia singled with one out, then Drew walked, Ramirez was hit by a pitch and Mike Lowell drew a run-scoring walk. Youkilis followed with his 15th homer, a line drive high into the seats above the Green Monster that made it 7-1.

Sean Casey walked to end Liz's night, then Lance Cormier gave up singles to Kevin Cash and Jacoby Ellsbury before Pedroia hit a two-run double to give Boston a 9-1 lead.

Nick Markakis doubled off Mike Timlin in the ninth for the third hit by the Orioles, who had lost five in a row before beating Boston 7-3 in the series opener on Friday.

Notes:@ Baltimore manager Dave Trembley was ejected for arguing a called third strike against Kevin Millar to end the top of the seventh. ... Markakis earned his ninth outfield assist when he threw out Casey on a single off the wall in the second. ... Actor Kevin Costner was at the game. So was ESPN basketball analyst Dick Vitale, chatting with Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun next to the Orioles dugout. ... Ramirez's homer was just his third in a month.