Jed Lowrie blasted a two-out, three-run homer in the first inning to power the desperate Boston Red Sox to an 18-9 victory over the visiting Baltimore Orioles to salvage the second game of a day-night doubleheader Monday.

The Red Sox, who lost the first game 6-5, trailed 3-0 in nightcap before Lowrie put Boston ahead for good when he finished the four-run outburst.

Boston finished with 20 hits and blew it open with seven runs in the seventh, including an inside-the-park home run by Jacoby Ellsbury and a grand slam by Conor Jackson.

The Red Sox finished the long day where they started, two games ahead of Tampa Bay in the American League wild card race.

John Lackey couldn’t survive the fifth inning. He allowed eight runs and 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings. Scott Atchison (1-0) picked up the win in relief.

Brian Matusz (1-8) took the loss after allowing six runs in 1 2/3 innings.

Lowrie, Jackson and Dustin Pedroia had four RBIs apiece for the Red Sox, who led 11-5 after three innings.