Tim Wakefield

For the second time in as many nights, Jonathan Papelbon blew a Red Sox lead in the bottom of the ninth, but on Thursday night he didn’t receive the loss. In the rubber match of their three-game series against the Rockies, the Sox were able to overcome the issue and pull ahead thanks to a Dustin Pedroia two-run home run in the top of the 10th, his third homer of the night. With another shot to hold on to a two-run lead, Papelbon recovered, holding the Rockies scoreless in a 1-2-3 bottom of the 10th. It is Pedroia’s flawless 5-for-5 night that the Sox will look to build upon in the opening game of their series against the Giants Friday night.

Tim Wakefield will take the mound for the Red Sox, trying to reverse a rough season against a team he’s had troubles with in the past. Against the Giants, Wakefield is 2-3 with a 6.03 ERA, one of his worst records against any team. If he has anything going for him, it’s that he hasn’t faced the Giants in three years, and the last time he did face them, he picked up a win — even though he allowed five runs on eight hits.

It’s been a difficult 18th season so far for Wakefield (2-5, 5.33 ERA), with his first interleague game of the season a rare bright spot — an 8-3 victory over the Phillies in which he pitched eight shutout innings. Since then, Wakefield has only won one of six starts and he’s slid to the back end of the rotation. His last start could be a sign of encouragement for Red Sox Nation, however; in a 5-4 win, Wakefield gave up three earned runs over 6 1/3 innings but got a no-decision.

For Jonathan Sanchez, what 2009 brought in fame and success with a no-hitter, 2010 has brought in mediocrity and problems with an inconsistent year. Despite giving up no more than four runs in any one game this season, Sanchez (5-5, 2.90 ERA) has fluctuated from start to start with hits allowed (as low as one in one game, but he’s given up seven in four starts) and walks (five as many times as walking none or one: four times).

Sanchez’ last two starts show his wide range of results: last Monday against the O’s he picked up the win by giving up two runs and walking only one even though he allowed a season-high eight hits. Last Sunday against Toronto, Sanchez’ wild side reemerged as he lasted only 2 2/3 innings because he already walked five, allowed three to score and had men on second and third. Sanchez also received a no-decision in that last game.

Half of the Red Sox lineup has never faced Sanchez, but the other half probably wishes it hadn’t faced him before either. Out of the seven men to have seen the 27-year-old lefty before, there are only three hits among them. Meanwhile, the Giants have had either feast or famine off Wakefield’s knuckleball. Aubrey Huff is the perfect example of this; he has a lowly .164 batting average against Wakefield with nine strikeouts, but he’s hit the career cycle off him, too, with three homers, two doubles, a triple and two singles. Keep an eye on the Wakefield-Aaron Rowand matchup, as Rowand has dominated Wake by going 11-for-17 with four home runs and eight RBI.

The series against the Giants will keep the Sox on the West Coast through the weekend before they return home to take on the Rays on Tuesday.

Red Sox vs. Jonathan Sanchez

Mike Cameron (9 plate appearances against Sanchez): .143 BA/.333 OBP/.286 SLG, 1 double, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts

Bill Hall (8): .286/.375/.286, 1 home run, 4 RBI, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts

J.D. Drew is 0-for-2 while Adrian Beltré, Mike Lowell, David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis are 0-for-1 against Sanchez. Víctor Martínez, Darnell McDonald, Daniel Nava, Dustin Pedroia, Josh Reddick, Marco Scutaro and Jason Varitek have never faced the San Francisco starter.

Giants vs. Tim Wakefield

Aubrey Huff (57 plate appearances against Wakefield): .164 BA/.193 OBP/.418 SLG, 3 home runs, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 5 RBI, 2 walks, 9 strikeouts

Bengie Molina (22): .350/.409/.650, 1 home run, 3 doubles, 8 RBI, 2 walks, 1 strikeout

Aaron Rowand (19): .647/.684/1.412, 4 home runs, 1 double, 8 RBI, 2 walks, 1 strikeout

Edgar Renteria (17): .176/.176/.235, 1 double, 3 strikeouts

Juan Uribe (12): .250/.240/.500, 1 home run, 3 RBI, 1 strikeout

Pat Burrell (9): .250/.333/.375, 1 double, 2 RBI, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts

Nate Schierholtz (3): 1.000/1.000/1.667, 1 triple, 1 RBI

Freddy Sanchez is 2-for-4 against Wakefield. Travis Ishikawa, Buster Posey, Pablo Sandoval, Andres Torres and Eli Whiteside have yet to face the Boston starter.