BOSTON, June 12 (UPI) -- Mike Hampton gave away an early four-lead lead Wednesday night as the Boston Red Sox rallied for a sloppy 7-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies.
Earlier in the week, Hampton and Colorado manager Clint Hurdle discussed the possibility of sending the pitcher to the bullpen. While the Rockies committed five errors, Hampton (3-8) did little to help his cause.
He could not protect a 4-0 lead, surrendering seven runs -- five earned -- and 10 hits over five innings.
In his last four starts, all on the the road, Hampton has allowed 22 earned runs over 21 1/3 innings. He is 1-7 in nine road outings this season and fell to 0-3 lifetime against the Red Sox.
Frank Castillo (5-6) overcame a slow start to record the win, yielding five runs and eight hits over 6 1/3 innings with three walks and four strikeouts. He settled down nicely after giving up four runs in the first two innings.
After the Red Sox took a 5-4 lead in the fourth on Shea Hillenbrand's RBI groundout and third baseman Todd Zeile's throwing error, the Rockies tied it in the top of the fifth on Tedd Helton's RBI single.
The Red Sox went ahead for good in the bottom half, taking a 6-5 lead on consecutive singles by Doug Mirabelli, Trot Nixon and Lou Merloni. Johnny Damon's run-scoring forceout provided insurance.
After Casey Fossum worked out of a first-and-third jam in the seventh, closer Ugueth Urbina recorded six outs for his 19th save.
