Boston, MA (Best E Casino) - Kevin Youkilis' grand slam and career-high six RBI led the Boston Red Sox to a 12-1 thrashing of the free-falling Baltimore Orioles in the middle contest of a three-game set at Fenway Park.

Tim Wakefield (6-6) threw seven strong innings, allowing one run on two hits and a walk while striking out six for Boston, which won for the fourth time in five contests. Wakefield retired the final 13 batters he faced.

"I think that's actually the best I've ever seen Wake pitch. He left a pitch that ran back a little on Ramon (Hernandez) that he hit out but the ball was almost attacking (catcher Kevin) Cash in the zone," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "He worked quick and then Youk hits the grand slam and spreads it out and he went out and did exactly what you wanted him to do."

Manny Ramirez and J.D. Drew each went 2-for-3 with a home run. Ramirez also crossed the plate three times, as Boston moved within a half-game of Tampa Bay for first place in the AL East. The Rays lost at Cleveland, 8-4, Saturday night.

Radhames Liz (3-2) was shelled for eight runs on six hits and three walks in 2 1/3 innings, while striking out two. Lance Cormier gave up two runs on five hits in 1 2/3 innings of relief for Liz.

"This one was a blowout. We got behind Wakefield early and Wakefield was on. There wasn't much we could do about it," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "I'm not demoralized at all. I feel bad that Liz didnt pitch good. I feel bad for him. He didn't pitch good."

Ramon Hernandez homered while Kevin Millar and Nick Markakis singled to provide the only other hits for Baltimore, which has lost six of its last seven.

Ramirez and Drew hit back-to-back two-out homers in the first, their 18th and 17th, respectively.

Hernandez countered with a lead-off blast in the third, his seventh, but Boston squashed the visiting team's hope with seven runs in the home half of the frame.

Dustin Pedroia singled with one out before Drew walked and Ramirez was hit by a pitch. Liz walked Mike Lowell to force in a run before Youkilis smacked his first career grand slam over the Green Monster for his 15th homer.

"I just worked the count to 3-1 and was looking for a pitch. I hit the ball well. You never know about the wall out there but it got over," Youkilis said. "It seemed like one of those nights where everyone contributed again."

The Red Sox were not done in the inning, however, as Pedroia doubled with two outs in his second at-bat of the inning to score Sean Casey and Kevin Cash. Casey, who was the last batter Liz faced, walked, and two batters later Cash and Jacoby Ellsbury hit back-to-back singles to load the bases for the third time in the inning before Pedroia's hit off Cormier.

It was the Red Sox's second seven-run inning in three games as they did the same in the seventh of an 18-5 win over the Twins on Wednesday.

Youkilis lifted a sacrifice fly in the fourth, and Boston added two more runs in the eighth on back-to-back Alex Cora and Youkilis RBI singles.

Game Notes

Trembley was ejected by home plate umpire Doug Eddings in the seventh inning for arguing balls and strikes...Boston placed shortstop Julio Lugo on the 15-day list before Saturday's game with a strained left quadriceps muscle sustained in Friday's game...Boston scored seven runs in three bases-loaded at-bats in the third...Boston slugger David Ortiz, who has been sidelined since the end of May due to a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist, will play three games with Triple-A Pawtucket next week then three with Double-A Portland and return tentatively on July 25 versus the Yankees. He had a batting cage session Friday against a pitching machine...Ramirez has 36 career homers against the Orioles, eighth all-time.