updated 1:15 a.m. ET Oct. 28, 2007

DENVER - The Boston Red Sox knew they were getting a big-game pitcher when they paid $103 million to lure Daisuke Matsuzaka from Japan.

They got a big-game hitter thrown in for free.

Matsuzaka pitched three-hit ball into the sixth inning in Game 3 Saturday night, helping himself out with a two-run single as the Red Sox beat Colorado 10-5 to move within one victory of another World Series sweep. It was his second consecutive postseason win and the sixth in a row for Boston.

“I felt more pressure going into Game 7 of the LCS, so today was easier,” Matsuzaka said through a translator. “But our team won, and I didn’t want to be the one to stop our momentum, so I am relieved.”

The first Japanese pitcher to start a World Series game, Matsuzaka produced the longest and strongest of his four starts in a postseason where he’s struggled to make it past the fifth inning. More surprising was the first-pitch single he added in Boston’s six-run third.

“I can’t quite say that I’m a confident hitter,” said Matsuzaka, who was 0-for-4 in interleague play. “But I love hitting.”

It was his first major-league hit and RBI.

“Two of ’em,” manager Terry Francona said. “We’ll take RBIs from anybody. I don’t know if you can count on that during a game.”

Matsuzaka struck out five, retiring eight in a row after hitting Garrett Atkins to start the second. He left with a 6-0 lead after walking consecutive batters with one out in the sixth; reliever Javier Lopez gave up consecutive singles to allow both baserunners to score.

Earlier, Matsuzaka made a nice play with his glove. He fielded Matt Holliday’s chopper in the first inning, turned around and got former Japanese teammate Kaz Matsui in a rundown.

A star in Japan who threw 250 pitches to win a 17-inning high school game and the MVP of the inaugural World Baseball Classic, Matsuzaka came to Boston after the Red Sox paid $51.11 million for the right to talk to him and another $52 million to sign him for six years.

He dined with team officials during the courtship at Red Sox owner Tom Werner’s house, where he caught a glimpse of the replica 2004 World Series trophy that came after a sweep of St. Louis.

“I felt that it was very beautiful and I was very moved,” Matsuzaka said. “At that point a lot of things were still in the air, but I definitely wanted to hold that trophy in my own hands one day.”

He might get his chance Sunday night. The trophy will be at Coors Field.

MORE FROM BASEBALL

Baseball Section Front

Twins’ Mauer wins historic AL MVP award CTB: Mauer had truly historic season CTB: Mets keeping an eye on Sheets CTB: Did A-Rod throw cousin under financial bus? CTB: Red Sox willing to throw money into Lowell deal DeMarco: Red Sox should take measured approach No horror film: Yankees like this Series movie Blyleven: Pitching to be had beyond Halladay CTB: Dye open to move at first base CTB: Future Hall of Famer Vizquel joins White Sox Baseball Section Front   Add Baseball headlines to your news reader: