Boston, MA (My Sportsbook) - Roy Halladay attempts to win his 14th straight decision on Thursday as the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox start the second half of their seasons by opening a four-game series at Fenway Park.

After beginning the year 0-2, Halladay has reeled off 13 straight wins over his past 15 starts, with his last loss coming on April 15.

Most recently, the All-Star hurler earned the victory against the Yankees on Saturday. He allowed two runs on four hits in eight frames, while walking none and striking out six.

Halladay has already started four games against Boston this season, going 1-0 with a 4.97 ERA. He is 3-3 with a 4.78 ERA in 14 career appearances -- 11 starts -- versus the Red Sox.

Countering for Boston on Thursday is Derek Lowe, who has won his last seven decisions and hasn't been defeated since May 11.

In his last outing, Lowe faced these same Blue Jays on July 9 and didn't figure in the decision. However, he was hammered for seven runs on 11 hits in six innings, while walking two and striking out three.

The righthander is 1-1 with a 6.61 ERA in three starts against Toronto this year. For his career, he is 4-7 with a 5.43 ERA in 36 games -- five starts -- versus the Blue Jays.

The Red Sox had a five-game winning streak halted in their last game before the All-Star break, as they were blanked by the Detroit Tigers, 3-0, on Sunday.

Nomar Garciaparra finished with three of the seven hits for the Red Sox, who were shut out for only the third time this season. Boston, which finished its 13-game road trip at 8-5, sits two games behind first-place New York in the AL East.

Tim Wakefield (6-4) absorbed the hard-luck loss after permitting three runs -- two earned -- and four hits in 7 1/3 innings. Wakefield, who has allowed two runs or fewer in six of his last seven starts, fell to 1-2 in his last nine starts.

The reeling Blue Jays lost for the fifth time in six games on Sunday, as they suffered a 6-2 defeat to the Yankees.

Toronto lost two-of-three the Yankees at SkyDome after being swept in three contests by the Red Sox. The Blue Jays have dropped 12 of their last 15 overall and now sit nine games behind first-place New York in the AL East.

Falling quickly out of the pennant race, Toronto dealt outfielder Shannon Stewart to the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday in exchange for outfielder Bobby Kielty.

Carlos Delgado knocked in both runs for Toronto Sunday to pass Manny Ramirez for the third-most RBI going into the All-Star break with 97.

Working on three days rest for the first time in his major league career, Toronto starter Kelvim Escobar got roughed up. He gave up five runs and six hits in just 1 1/3 innings of work. Escobar (5-6), who lost his third consecutive decision, also walked two and threw a costly wild pitch.

Boston has captured seven of the 13 meetings between these teams this season.

The Red Sox begin an 11-game homestand on Thursday and are 28-12 overall at Fenway this season, while the Blue Jays are 26-22 on the road.