Red Sox-Orioles: Master-Ful Afternoon Has Boston Back Above .500

After their current five-game winning streak, Red Sox Nation can finally accept that the sky is not falling.

Dustin Pedroia had four hits, Justin Masterson pitched 5 1/3 strong innings, and the Red Sox pounded the Baltimore Orioles 12-1 in the annual 11 a.m. Patriots Day game to complete the four-game sweep.

The top three Red Sox hitters—Jacoby Ellsbury, Pedroia and David Ortiz—combined to go 9-for-16 with six RBI. As a team, Boston amassed 15 hits, Nick Green and Rocco Baldelli being the only Red Sox starters not to get at least one.

Masterson (1-0) allowed just one run on four hits and two walks in place of the injured Daisuke Matsuzaka, throwing 84 pitches for his first win of the year. The Red Sox bullpen threw 3 2/2 scoreless innings to hold the Orioles to that single run.

Red Sox relievers have allowed just one run in 14 2/3 innings during Boston's five-game winning streak.

David Ortiz has endured season-long offensive struggles, but busted out for two extra-base hits and two RBI today, doubling in the first inning and tripling in the seventh.

The Red Sox scored three runs in the sixth inning, then batted around in the seventh, scoring six more runs and turning a close game into a blowout.

Pedroia's 4-for-6 day raised his season batting average from .235 to .281. The reigning 2009 American League MVP has a home run, five RBI and 11 runs scored in 13 games this season.

The Red Sox will remain in Fenway and face the Minnesota Twins for a brief two-game series starting Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Tim Wakefield, who is coming off a near-no-hitter in Oakland, will oppose Scott Baker.