Boston @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 23, 2010 ) Boston 6, Colorado 8

Jason Hammel found a perfect cure for his early-season struggles: an injury.

A revitalized Hammel will look to help the Colorado Rockies complete a three-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox in Thursday's series finale at Coors Field.

The Rockies won Wednesday night's game in dramatic fashion when pinch hitter Jason Giambi belted a walk-off, two-run homer off Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon.

Giambi's blast came three batters after Ian Stewart clubbed a mammoth leadoff homer off Pabelbon, tying the score at 6-6.

It was just the second blown save of the season for Papelbon and his first since May 17.

That alone made it a crushing defeat for the Red Sox, but it was even harder to swallow after they rallied from a four-run deficit to take the lead against Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez.

Pretty much untouchable through his first 14 starts, Jimenez (13-1) was roughed up for season highs in runs (six) and hits (10) in 5 2/3 innings – his shortest outing of the year – but averted his second loss thanks to the ninth-inning fireworks.

Unbelievable as it may seem, Hammel has been the near equal of Jimenez since returning from the disabled list on May 15 due to a groin injury.

Prior to getting hurt, Hammel was 0-2 with a hideous 9.16 ERA in four starts. Since coming back, he has put up some healthy numbers, going 5-1 with a one no-decision in seven starts.

And the 27-year-old right-hander keeps getting better with each outing. Not only he is 4-0 in his last five starts, but Hammel enters Thursday riding a streak of 25 1/3 scoreless innings.

Hammel could serve as an inspiration for Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka, who will be activated off the disabled list Thursday to make the start.

Unlike Hammel, Matsuzaka (5-2) was coming off his finest effort of the season before going on the DL, having blanked the Cleveland Indians on four hits through eight innings on June 7.

In his next scheduled start, Matsuzaka was a last-second scratch after feeling discomfort in his forearm while warming up in the bullpen, landing him on the DL for the second time this season.

Matsuzaka does have a fond memory of Coors Field to build upon. He was the winning pitcher in Game 3 of the 2007 World Series, limiting the Rockies to two runs and three hits in 5 2/3 innings as Boston took a commanding 3-0 lead en route to their second championship in four seasons.

Colorado got some good news on the injury front in Wednesday’s game. Huston Street made his first appearance of the year in relief of Jimenez, allowing one hit and striking out one in 1 1/3 innings.

He registered 35 saves in 37 chances a year ago and is expected to be eased back into the closer’s role.