Baltimore, MD -- (Sports Network) - Melvin Mora smacked a three-run homer and drove in four as Baltimore rallied from an early four-run deficit to out-slug Boston, 11-6, in the finale of a three-game set from Camden Yards.

Ramon Hernandez also had a three-run blast for the Orioles, who salvaged a game in the series. Brian Roberts collected two hits and two RBI, while Lou Montanez and Juan Castro knocked in a run each.

Baltimore starter Chris Waters (2-0) earned the win despite allowing eight hits and five runs -- four earned -- in five innings.

"The reason Waters was able to put a couple zeros up on the board was that he got some command of his fastball," said Orioles manager Dave Trembley. "In the first inning, he didn't have very good command of anything, and I thought he was basically pitching backwards. Then he established his fastball and got ahead, obviously his ball-strike ratio is not where it needs to be, but he got through it."

Jason Bay homered for the Red Sox, who have dropped three of five. Jacoby Ellsbury and Kevin Youkilis each picked up a pair of hits and a run driven in.

Clay Buchholz (2-9) suffered the loss, his seventh setback in as many decisions, charged with three hits and five runs in just 2 1/3 frames. Following the game, Buchholz was optioned to Double-A Portland.

After seeing the Sox score twice in the first then add two more in the second, the O's came back with three in the home second on an RBI single from Montanez and a two-out, two-run base hit by Roberts.

In the third, Mora was drilled on the hand, Luke Scott walked with one out and after Mora stole third, Buchholz was pulled from the game. David Aardsma came in but allowed a three-run homer to Hernandez which put Baltimore up 6-4. Montanez walked and two batters later scored on Castro's hit to left.

In the Orioles' next turn, Mora's three-run homer boosted the home team's lead to 10-4, but Bay's solo shot to center brought the Sox within 10-5 in the fifth.

Mora's sacrifice fly in the bottom half restored the six-run edge before Boston picked up a run in the eighth on an RBI double by Ellsbury.

Orioles reliever Jim Johnson finished off the Sox with a scoreless ninth.

"I think against Boston, you have to hit with men on base, you have to score when you get opportunities to score, because you never know if you're going to get enough runs," Trembley added. "We got some big hits with guys on base."

Things started off on a better note for the visitors.

In the first, Dustin Pedroia hit a one-out triple off the very top of the wall in left-center. David Ortiz walked and a Youkilis single brought in the first run, then Bay's single loaded the bases. Jed Lowrie drew a walk to force in another run before Jeff Bailey struck out and Coco Crisp grounded into a force.

In the second, Kevin Cash doubled and scored on Waters' throwing error on a bunt single from Ellsbury which allowed the speedy outfielder to reach second. Ellsbury swiped third and scored when Ortiz blasted a single off the right- field scoreboard.

Game Notes

Baltimore topped the 10-run mark for the 13th time this season, improving to 12-1 in such games...It was also the first time in 2008 the O's hit two three- run home runs in one contest...Buchholz has not won a start since May 2, going 0-7 with three no-decisions in that span...Following the game, Baltimore optioned pitcher Garrett Olson to Triple-A Norfolk...The Red Sox continue their road trip Friday in Toronto, starting a three-game set with the Blue Jays...The Orioles resume play Friday, hosting the Yankees for three in the middle portion of their current nine-game homestand.