Tue Apr 29 10:55:19 2008

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Slumping Red Sox start three-game set vs. Jays

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(Sports Network) - The Boston Red Sox try and put the brakes on a five-game losing streak this evening when they start a three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park.

Boston, which did not lose more than four in a row at any point last season, returns home tonight after getting swept over the weekend by the Tampa Bay Rays, culminating with a 3-0 loss on Sunday at Tropicana Field. Dustin Pedroia and Julio Lugo had the only hits for the Red Sox, who had won six straight before their current slide.

Josh Beckett (2-2) was dealt a hard-luck loss, as he allowed two runs -- one earned -- on four hits over seven innings while striking out 13.

Boston has scored just 14 runs in its last five games, but should have a couple of key pieces to its offense back tonight. David Ortiz is expected to return after sitting out the last two games with a knee injury, while Mike Lowell is slated to come off the disabled list, as well. Lowell has been sidelined since April 10 with a thumb injury.

Hoping to avoid the Red Sox' first six-game slide since 2006 tonight will be left-hander Jon Lester, who is 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA. Lester has failed to register a decision in any of his last three outings, though. Against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Wednesday, Lester gave up four runs and nine hits in five innings of a 6-4 loss.

Lester also received a no-decision in his only other start against the Jays, surrendering a run and three hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Toronto will counter with ace right-hander Roy Halladay, who has struggled in losing his last two starts. Halladay fell to 2-3 on Wednesday against Tampa Bay, as he allowed five runs and nine hits in eight innings to raise his ERA to 3.73.

Over his last two starts Halladay has given up nine runs and 20 hits, but has pitched 17 innings.

Halladay defeated the Red Sox earlier in the year and is 10-10 lifetime against them with a 4.81 ERA in 33 games, 30 of which have been starts.

Toronto snapped a six-game slide on Sunday, as Scott Rolen was 2-for-5 with a solo homer and two runs batted in, lifting the Blue Jays past the Kansas City Royals, 5-2, at Kauffman Stadium.

Alex Rios went 4-for-5 with a triple, double and three runs scored for the Jays, while Aaron Hill went 2-for-4 as the Blue Jays pounded out 12 hits.

Jesse Litsch (3-1) earned the win with seven strong innings, surrendering just two runs -- one earned -- on five hits. Jesse Carlson worked a scoreless ninth for his first major league save.

Toronto swept a three-game series from the Red Sox earlier in the season at Rogers Centre and holds a 35-23 edge in the series since the start of the 2005 campaign.