Orioles 6, Red Sox 3: Nate McLouth, J.J. Hardy and Chris Davis each homered as Baltimore completed a three-game sweep of visiting Boston. The Orioles clinched their first postseason berth since 1997 on Sunday night when Texas' victory over Los Angeles assured Baltimore of at least a wild-card spot.

Joe Saunders (3-3) worked 7 1/3 strong innings and Jim Thome added a pair of RBIs for the Orioles, who stayed even with New York for first place in the American League East. The Yankees won at Toronto on Sunday.

Baltimore put it away early on Sunday, putting three runs up in the first inning and knocking Red Sox starter Zach Stewart (1-4) out before the end of the third. McLouth led off the first with solo homer into the bleachers in left-center field and Thome capped the uprising with an RBI single.

Hardy led off the third with his 22nd blast and Thome tacked on another run-scoring single to make it a 5-0 advantage. Davis, who homered in each game of the series, led off the fifth with his 31st blast - a towering shot into the second row in right.

Cody Ross and Daniel Nava each homered for Boston (69-90), which clinched its first 90-loss season since 1966.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Jim Johnson worked the ninth to pick up his league-leading 50th save. … Stewart has made two starts for the Red Sox since being acquired in the Kevin Youkilis trade from the Chicago White Sox. He has allowed a total of 14 runs on 15 hits in 5 2/3 innings. … The Orioles head to Tampa Bay for their final three-game series of the regular season on Monday while Boston finishes up at the Yankees.