The Texas Rangers beat the Baltimore Orioles 12-3 on Wednesday night to take the rubber match in their three-game series. Adrian Beltre hit three home runs, including a pair of two-run blasts in the Rangers' nine-run fourth inning.
Beltre's first homer was a solo shot in the first inning. Nick Markakis, who hit 3-for-4 on the night, tied it up with an RBI-single in the third before Texas blew the game wide open.
In addition to Beltre's two home runs in the fourth, Mitch Moreland hit a grand slam and David Murphy had an RBI-double. The Orioles pulled starter Tommy Hunter (4-8) after he failed to record an out for the eighth straight time in that fourth inning.
Markakis' two-run triple in the fifth inning made it 10-3, but that was the closest Baltimore would get.
Mitch Moreland had a sac fly in the fifth and Geovany Soto had an RBI-double in the seventh for Texas. Moreland and Beltre both finished with five RBIs.
Orioles catcher Matt Wieters was forced to leave the game in the seventh inning with a shoulder injury.
Rangers starter Derek Holland (8-6) gave up five hits, three runs and struck out five in seven innings of work.
Texas continue its 10-game homestand with a four-game set against the Minnesota Twins starting on Thursday. Game 1 is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CT.
Be sure to visit Lone Star Ball for more Rangers coverage, and head over to Camden Chat for more on the Orioles. Also visit Baseball Nation for even more news and analysis from around the league.