BALTIMORE (AP) — J.J. Hardy hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning to back an effective pitching performance by Wei-Yin Chen and carry the Baltimore Orioles past the Texas Rangers 4-2 on Wednesday night.

Jimmy Paredes homered and had two RBIs for the Orioles, who yielded eight home runs in losing the first two games of the series.

The Rangers went deep twice more — solo shots by Shin-Soo Choo and Ryan Rua — but that was the extent of their offensive output.

Chen (4-4) allowed two runs, four hits and a walk over eight innings to win his third straight decision. The Taiwanese left-hander is 5-0 with a 1.80 ERA lifetime against the Rangers.

Zach Britton struck out the side in the ninth for his 23rd save.

Nick Martinez (5-5) gave up four runs, three earned, and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings. He has lost three straight starts.

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