TORONTO - The Toronto Blue Jays will have their ace on
the mound as they attempt to end their longest losing streak of
the season.
Roy Halladay will try to join Justin Verlander as the only
14-game winners in the major leagues Friday, when the Blue Jays
host the opener of a three-game series with the Chicago White
Sox.
The Blue Jays were outscored, 20-4, in a three-game sweep at the
hands of the New York Yankees, extending their losing streak to
five games. Toronto has lost just four times in the 22 games
started by Halladay this season, but one of those defeats came
Sunday at Oakland.
Halladay allowed three runs - two earned - and eight hits in 6
2/3 innings in that game, but fellow All-Star B.J. Ryan
surrendered a three-run homer to Milton Bradley in the bottom of
the ninth as the A's claimed a 6-5 triumph.
The 29-year-old Halladay has not been saddled with a defeat
since June 18, winning his last five decisions. He will be
matched up against Jon Garland (11-3, 5.01), who has gone 7-0
with a 3.27 ERA since June 8.
Garland won his third straight start Saturday in Baltimore
despite allowing six runs and 11 hits in five innings of a 13-11
triumph. The White Sox have won each of the last eight games
started by Garland, averaging nearly seven runs of support.
Despite a 6.00 ERA in 12 road starts this season, Garland has
posted an 8-2 record away from U.S. Cellular Field. He never
has lost here, going 4-0 with a 4.46 ERA in eight lifetime
appearances - six starts - at Rogers Centre.
The White Sox have won four of their last six games after losing
10 of their first 12 following the All-Star break.