Pittsburgh Steelers' receiver, Santonio Holmes (right), breaks a tackle by Baltimore Ravens safety, Dawan Landry, in the third quarter of their NFL game in Pittsburgh on Monday night. The Steelers won 38-7. - Reuters

NEW YORK (Reuters):

PITTSBURGH STEELERS quarterback Ben Roethlisberger passed for a career-high five first-half touchdowns in a 38-7 rout of the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night.

Heath Miller caught the first touchdown of a rain-drenched first half, before Roethlisberger connected with Santonio Holmes and Nate Washington twice each in the end zone.

'Big Ben' left the game with a hip injury in the third quarter, but returned later in the game as Pittsburgh eased to the win at Heinz Field and improved their record to 6-2.

The Steelers defence was smothering, forcing four first-half turnovers that led to touchdowns. Linebacker James Harrison set the tone, recording 3.5 sacks, forced two fumbles and had an interception.

The result was a 12th consecutive Monday home win for the Steelers, who limited Ravens quarterback Steve McNair to 63 yards passing. Baltimore (4-4) had only 104 yards total offense.

Roethlisberger, meanwhile, connected on 13 of 16 passes for 209 yards in boosting his season's touchdown total to a career-high 20.

Great offensive line

"I am really proud of our offensive line," Roethlisberger told reporters.

"They did a great job of giving me time, and when things broke down .... receivers got open and made plays for me."

He left the game in the third quarter after being pushed to the ground by Baltimore's Terrell Suggs.

"I hit the ground and got a little bruised," Roethlisberger said, adding that his return to the game was about showing unity with the players who protect him.

"I wanted my offensive line to know I was out there for them," he said. "If they are out there, I wanted to come back out and get out there for them."

Tight end Miller started the rout, catching a 17-yard scoring pass from Roethlisberger at 7:17. The Pittsburgh quarterback then threw touchdown passes to Holmes (15 and 35 yards) and Washington (30 and seven yards) to give the Steelers a 35-0 lead.

Willis McGahee scored the Ravens' only touchdown with just over 90 seconds left in the first half.

A 22-yard field goal from Pittsburgh's Jeff Reed marked the only scoring of the second half and the game finished at 38-7.