Colorado @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 22, 2012 ) Colorado 5, NY Mets 2

The Colorado Rockies, who have won seven straight games at Citi Field, will attempt to complete a four-game sweep of the host New York Mets in Thursday’s series finale. Colorado has won four consecutive contests and eight of 10 after posting a 5-2 victory on Wednesday. Catcher Wilin Rosario hit his 20th homer of the season, tops among National League rookies. New York has lost four straight and has scored two or fewer runs in five consecutive contests.

The Mets are 11-27 since the All-Star break and have dipped to a season-worst 10 games below .500. New York hasn’t been that far below .500 since a miserable 70-92 campaign in 2009. The last time the Mets recorded two or fewer runs in five straight outings was September 2003. Johan Santana was scratched with a season-ending back ailment and Collin McHugh will make his major-league debut. Colorado’s hot streak has elevated its winning percentage above .400. The Rockies were 30 games below .500 on Aug. 5 and have since gone 11-5.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Tyler Chatwood (3-3, 5.46 ERA) vs. Mets RH Collin McHugh (0-0, -.--)

Chatwood is making his fifth start of the season. He won back-to-back outings before being touched up for six runs and nine hits in four innings by the Miami Marlins in his last start. Chatwood tossed seven shutout innings to beat the Mets last season when he was a member of the Los Angeles Angels.

McHugh’s progress and rise to the majors rates as a surprise development. The 18th-round pick in 2008 wasn’t considered much of a prospect until earlier this season. McHugh, 25, went 5-5 with a 2.41 ERA in 12 starts for Double-A Binghamton before being promoted to Triple-A Buffalo, where he went 2-4 with a 3.39 ERA in 12 starts before being tabbed to replace Santana.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rockies OF Dexter Fowler left Wednesday’s game with a sprained right ankle and is expected to be sidelined for at least a couple of days.

2. The Mets are just 2-13 at home since the All-Star break.

3. Colorado SS Troy Tulowitzki (groin) and 1B Jason Giambi (viral infection) will being rehab assignments with Double-A Tulsa on Friday. Tulowitzki hasn’t played since late May and Giambi has been sidelined for a month.