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Red Sox RHP Byrd eyes seventh straight road win

Sep 19, 2008 - 10:18 AM Boston (89-63) at Toronto (82-71) 7:07 p.m. EDT

TORONTO (Ticker) -- The Boston Red Sox struggled offensively in their last two games against the top team in the American League East. With Paul Byrd on the mound in Toronto, they may not need to provide much run support.

Byrd goes for his seventh win in as many starts on the road when the Red Sox face the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday.

Boston, which trails Tampa Bay (90-61) by 1 1/2 games for first place in the AL East, scored four runs in the final two games against the Rays.

The Red Sox were without Mike Lowell and Jason Bay during a dismal 10-3 loss in the series finale on Wednesday, but will likely have the sluggers back in the lineup. Lowell missed the game with a sore right hip, while Bay traveled back to Boston for the birth of his daughter.

However, Byrd (11-12, 4.53 ERA) may not need Lowell and Bay in the lineup to lead the Red Sox to victory. Byrd is 3-0 in three road starts since being acquired by Boston from the Cleveland Indians on August 12, surrendering six runs in 18 2/3 innings over that span.

The veteran righthander will also be looking for revenge against the Blue Jays, who snapped Byrd's four-game personal win streak on Saturday. Toronto pounded him for five runs and 10 hits in five innings en route to an 8-1 victory.

Byrd needs to be at his best when he faces Toronto starter A.J. Burnett (18-10, 4.19 ERA), who is 5-0 with a 2.37 ERA in seven career starts against the Red Sox.