Orioles 4, Rangers 2
BALTIMORE -- J.J. Hardy hit a go-ahead two-run home run, Jimmy Paredes homered and drove in two runs, and the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Texas Rangers 4-2 Wednesday night.
Baltimore left-hander Wei-Yin Chen (4-4) allowed two runs on four hits over eight efficient innings, allowing the Orioles to overcome an early two-run deficit.
Rangers right fielder Shin-Soo Chu homered for the third consecutive game, and left fielder Ryan Rua also went deep, giving Texas 10 homers in the first three games of the four-game set.
However, after the Rangers blasted a season-high-tying four home runs in each of the series' first two games -- both Texas wins -- two solo shots weren't enough to support right-hander Nick Martinez (5-5), who allowed four runs (three earned) in 6 2/3 innings.
Baltimore closer Zach Britton struck out the side the ninth for his 23rd save.
Hardy's no-doubt shot to left gave the Orioles a 4-2 lead with one out in the seventh after first baseman Chris Davis led off the inning with a rare single to the left side of second base.
It was the Baltimore shortstop's fourth homer of the season and the second of the homestand.
Trailing 2-0 after the top of the fourth, the Orioles cut the margin in half on Paredes' homer in the bottom of the inning. The designated hitter drove a 1-2 fastball into the first row in right center, his 10th home run of the season.
Baltimore tied it in the sixth when second baseman Ryan Flaherty doubled off the left field wall, reached third on third baseman Elvis Andrus' error, and scored when the designated hitter Paredes grounded into a fielder's choice.
Choo gave Texas a 1-0 lead when he belted Chen's 1-2 fastball into the seats in right center to lead off the third.
Later in the inning, the Rangers advanced runners to second and third with one out on second baseman Hansler Alberto's sacrifice bunt. However, Chen got shortstop Elvis Andrus to pop out and designated hitter Prince Fielder to ground out to end the inning.
With two outs in the fourth, Rua's high-arcing shot sailed just far enough to land on the grounds crew shed and make it 2-0.
NOTES: The Orioles designated OF Delmon Young for assignment and recalled RHP Tyler Wilson from Triple-A Norfolk. Young batted .270 with two homers and 16 RBI in 174 at-bats. Wilson was 1-1 with a 2.38 ERA in five games (four starts) for Baltimore earlier this season. ... Rangers RHP Yovani Gallardo (7-6, 2.72) looks to continue his hot streak in Thursday's series finale. Gallardo has gone 23 2/3 innings without allowing a run, a stretch of more than three starts. ... Orioles RHP Kevin Gausman (1-0, 4.24) is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to make the start Thursday. Gausman pitched three scoreless innings Sunday for Norfolk. ... Rangers LF Josh Hamilton (hamstring) was given a planned day out of the lineup after returning from the disabled list Tuesday, while 2B Rougned Odor sat out following a dental procedure earlier in the day.