Boston ? David Ortiz gave the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles a taste of what Boston’s other rivals got during last year’s World Series run.

The Red Sox designated hitter hit a game-winning, three-run homer on a full count with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning Thursday, giving Boston a 6-4 victory over Baltimore. It was the fifth game-ending homer of Ortiz’s career – including two in the 2004 playoffs.

“He’s getting comfortable with being in that situation,” Boston manager Terry Francona said. “Like a basketball player who takes the shot at the buzzer, he relishes that. And he’s taken a lot of good swings.”

The Orioles took the lead in the top of the ninth without hitting a ball out of the infield against Keith Foulke (3-3), scoring the tiebreaking run when Rafael Palmeiro beat out a potential double-play ball. But Mark Bellhorn reached on an infield single to third with one out in the bottom half, and, with two outs, Edgar Renteria bunted for a single.

Ortiz worked the count to 3-1, swung and missed once, fouled another off and then hit the seventh pitch he saw from B.J. Ryan (0-1) into the center-field bleachers. Ortiz was greeted at home plate by a bouncing throng of teammates – a scene that became familiar during last year’s playoffs.

“That’s the only way I can get people to know who I am – going out there and producing,” Ortiz said.

Asked if he really thought there was anyone in Boston who didn’t know him, Ortiz cracked, “A child that’s just born today.”

Fans cheer Boston's David Ortiz as he rounds third base after hitting a game-winning three-run home run against Baltimore. The Red Sox defeated the Orioles, 6-4, Thursday in Boston.

It was Ortiz’s 13th homer of the year, but the first for Boston in four games.

“You’re a pitch away from getting out of it,” Orioles manager Lee Mazzilli said. “Didn’t happen.”

The Red Sox, the only team in the majors without an extra-inning game this season, earned a four-game split to remain three games behind the Orioles in the division. Baltimore had finished fourth six consecutive times before coming in third last year behind the Yankees and Red Sox.

“I think Baltimore is in it to stay,” said Red Sox starter Matt Clement, who failed in his attempt to improve to 7-0.

Baltimore’s David Newhan led off the ninth with a slow grounder to third that he beat out for a single. He stole second and went to third on Melvin Mora’s sacrifice bunt.

Foulke intentionally walked Miguel Tejada to get to Sammy Sosa, but Sosa took six consecutive pitches for a walk that loaded the bases. Palmeiro followed with a slow grounder to second for an easy force, but Renteria’s relay from shortstop wasn’t in time to keep the tiebreaking run from scoring.

Jay Gibbons homered for the Orioles. Twenty-year-old Hayden Penn lasted 51â3 innings and left with the game tied 3-all.

Leading off instead of Johnny Damon, Kevin Youkilis doubled and scored in the first. But the Orioles tied it on Gibbons’ ninth homer.

Twins 4, Indians 3, 13 innings

Minneapolis – Johan Santana tied a career high with 14 strikeouts, and Jacque Jones’ single in the 13th inning gave Minnesota a victory over Cleveland.

Lew Ford’s hustle turned his base hit off Rafael Betancourt (1-2) into a one-out double in the 13th. Two batters later, Jones hit a liner to right, and Ford raced around third, beating Casey Blake’s throw to the plate.

Six of the game’s seven runs were scored in the first five innings. After that, pitching took over, with the Twins managing just four hits over the final eight innings and the Indians two over the final nine.

Athletics 5, Blue Jays 3

Oakland, Calif. – Eric Chavez hit a grand slam, and Oakland won its season-best fourth straight game. Chavez, who began the day with the fourth-lowest batting average among American League regulars (.218), connected in the fifth on the first pitch from Josh Towers.

It was Chavez’s fifth career grand slam and first since May 11, 2002, also against Toronto. The four RBIs matched his season high, and he also had a seventh-inning double.

Tigers 6, Rangers 5, 10 innings

Detroit – Craig Monroe singled home Ivan Rodriguez with the winning run in the 10th inning, and Detroit rallied past Texas. Rondell White homered and drove in three runs for the Tigers, who snapped Texas’ nine-game winning streak.

The Rangers took a 5-3 lead into the bottom of the ninth this time, but Detroit rallied against All-Star closer Francisco Cordero on a sacrifice fly by pinch-hitter Carlos Guillen and a two-out RBI single by Omar Infante. It was Cordero’s third blown save in 19 chances.