BOSTON -- Buck Showalter predicted a turnaround and good things for struggling rough right-hander Tyler Wilson before Thursday night's rubber match of Baltimore's three-game early battle for first place in the American League East.

He was right.

"I say that about every pitcher. I do," the Orioles manager said after Wilson pitched eight shutout innings in a 5-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox that moved Balitmore back into sole possession of first place in the division. "That's the way you gotta look at it. It's the start of something, if you've had a couple bad outings, it's an opportunity.

"Tyler's a guy, you give him enough opportunities, he's going to show you why he's been a pitcher everywhere he's been in his life."

Wilson survived some early hard-hit balls thanks to some great defense, and Adam Jones hit a two-run homer and added an RBI double as the Orioles won the series 2-1 and snapped the tie atop the division.

"I want to give a round of applause to Tyler Wilson," Jones said. "To stifle a lineup like this, he did a really good job throwing strike one. I think today's about him, I don't care about myself."

Wilson (3-5) was more than happy to credit his pals for getting through much of this effort.

"Oh man, that was a highlight reel. Those guys played awesome," Wright said. "They play awesome all year long but when they can put a few plays in succession like that, it really kinda sparkles a little bit."

Wilson, who allowed 10 runs on 14 hits in 9 2/3 innings over his last two starts, yielded three hits in his first win in his last six starts. He walked one and struck out six in his fifth major league win.

Brad Brach worked the ninth and allowed a solo home run to David Ortiz -- the 520th of his career -- with two out as the Red Sox avoided what would have been their second shutout of the season. Ortiz, who has 17 homers, also had a double.

Jones hit his fourth homer during a five-game hitting streak, a monster shot off former Oriole prospect Eduardo Rodriguez (1-2 with three straight shaky outings) in the third inning and doubled home a run in the fourth as Rodriguez (1-2) lasted only 4 1/3 innings.

Manny Machado had three hits and Joey Rickard two for the Orioles.

The Jones homer was Baltimore's major league-best 34th in June.

After an impressive season debut in Baltimore May 31, Rodriguez, who had been out with a knee injury, has allowed 14 runs, 18 hits and nine walks in 14 2/3 innings over his last three starts. His ERA after four starts is 6.97.

"It's something I have been working on and I tried to locate much better the pitches," Rodriguez said. "That's what I think has been the problem the last three starts."

There was talk Rodriguez may have again been tipping his pitches, a problem he had last year, but Red Sox manager Farrell denied that.

"It comes down to more consistent location," Farrell said. "It's not a matter of stuff. I thought he used a full assortment of pitches here tonight to mix. Quality fastball in terms of just power. But it comes down to location."

Farrell said Rodriguez is still in the rotation, but there were meetings involving team president Dave Dombrowski, Farrell, pitching coach Carl Willis and Rodriguez in the clubhouse. The pitcher emerged from his meeting with at least his manager, got on his phone and left quickly.

Dustin Pedroia's inability to turn a double play led to the Orioles' third run, in the fourth. Jonathan Schoop smacked what should have been a DP grounder at Xander Bogaerts, but Pedroia dropped the flip at second -- Matt Wieters was out as Pedroia picked the ball up, but Schoop reached. He took third on Janish's two-out single and scored when Jones rifled a 3-0 pitch into left field for a double.

NOTES: With LF Chris Young out with right quad tightness, Rusney Castillo got his first start since being recalled from the minors May 31 and went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. ... LHP Roenis Elias makes his first start for the Red Sox when he pitches against his former team as Boston opens a three-game series with the Seattle Mariners on Friday. Elias, 15-20 in the big leagues, was 4-0 with a 2.00 ERA in his last five starts and left Triple-A Pawtucket with 13 straight scoreless innings. ... The Orioles go with RHPs Mike Wright, Yovani Gallardo (coming off the disabled list) and Chris Tillman in their three-game home series with the Toronto Blue Jays starting Friday night. ... Red Sox manager John Farrell said he expects a roster move -- other than the recall of Elias and sending out a player -- during the Seattle series. ... Orioles SS J.J. Hardy could come off the disabled list as early as Friday.