The Blue Jays headed from Kansas City to Boston on Sunday evening happy about a victory over the Royals but realizing that it's going to take several more solid efforts to make up for the damage that was done during a six-game losing streak.

"It wasn't easy, but it's a 'W'," manager John Gibbons said. "Now it gets tough going into Beantown. They are scuffling a little bit."

Indeed, the Red Sox are going through what the Blue Jays went through prior to Sunday, having dropped five in a row.

The Jays will try to push the pedal down while showcasing their new-look lineup featuring Alex Rios in the leadoff spot. Gibbons likes the idea of having David Eckstein follow Rios in the No. 2 hole. Eckstein is an adept handler of the bat and Scott Rolen's performance this weekend indicates that he's ready to do some damage in the middle of the lineup.

With a good series in Boston, the Blue Jays could offset a lot of the disappointment from their Tampa Bay and Kansas City series.

Since no club has really jumped out in the American League East, Toronto is still right in the mix despite the recent troubles.

"It depends on whether you think the glass is half full or half empty, I guess," Gibbons said.

Pitching matchup
TOR: RHP Roy Halladay (2-3, 3.73 ERA)
Halladay turned in a complete game against Tampa Bay on Wednesday, his third consecutive complete effort. For the second start in a row, however, Toronto's ace picked up a hard-luck loss. Despite going the distance, Halladay was on the wrong side of the decision after yielding five runs on nine hits with four strikeouts and one walk. Halladay's three complete games this season lead the Majors.

BOS: LHP Jon Lester (1-2, 5.40 ERA)
Lester has been unable to get on any type of roll this season. In his last start, however, the Sox were grateful that he was able to step up on three days' rest on short notice and pitch in place of the ill Daisuke Matsuzaka. Lester gave the Sox five innings, allowing nine hits and four runs and taking a no-decision against the Angels.

Tidbits
Jesse Carlson picked up his first career save on Sunday. ... Rod Barajas snapped an 0-for-18 drought with his single in the seventh on Sunday, and Vernon Wells snapped an 0-for-15 skid with a single in the eighth. ... Scott Rolen's homer on Sunday was his first since Aug. 15 of last season.

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On the Internet
 MLB.TV
 Gameday Audio
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•  Official game notes

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On radio
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Up next
• Wednesday: Blue Jays (Dustin McGowan, 1-2, 4.18) at Red Sox (Daisuke Matsuzaka, 4-0, 3.14), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Blue Jays (A.J. Burnett, 2-2, 6.07) at Red Sox (Tim Wakefield, 2-0, 4.06), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Friday: Blue Jays (Shaun Marcum, 2-2, 3.24) vs. White Sox (John Danks, 2-2, 3.00), 7:07 p.m. ET