Toronto Blue Jays Adam Lind, right, celebrates with teammate Vernon Wells after Lind's home run against the Chicago White Sox in the fourth inning in Toronto on Sunday. (Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)

Despite a shaky start from their ace pitcher, the Toronto Blue Jays pulled off an 8-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday afternoon at the Rogers Centre.

Roy Halladay (8-1) had a rough first inning, giving up two runs off three hits and an error. But he recovered, shutting out the White Sox (15-21) for the next six innings and striking out eight for his fifth straight win.

"Fortunately, we figured out soon enough to start mixing pitches earlier," said Halladay. "A few of the pitches today, especially early in the count, weren't where I wanted them and caused some trouble."

A solo home run by Alex Rios in the first and a three-run shot by Adam Lind in the fourth gave Toronto (26-14) all the runs they needed to notch the win.

Halladay stumbles in 1st

It was an uncharacteristic start for Halladay.

Chicago's Scott Podsednik launched a leadoff double and made it to third base after his teammate Chris Getz managed a single off a Halladay error. The Toronto ace dropped the ball on the way to the tag on the first base path, putting runners on the corners for Jermaine Dye.

Podsednik scored for the second straight game against the Blue Jays on the strength of a Dye single to right field. Paul Konerko then knocked a Halladay offering up the middle to score Getz and make it 2-0.

"You just hope you're going to come back and get some runs," said Jays manager Cito Gaston, "because more than likely he's not going to give up too many more, not to say it won't happen. If it's someone else, you might worry about giving up two runs in the first inning."

Blue Jays catcher Rod Barajas gave his pitcher some breathing room with the first out as he picked off Dye trying to steal third.

Jim Thome was then walked on a full count, but the threat was ended as Alexei Ramirez flied out to Lyle Overbay and Halladay struck out Josh Fields.

Rios, Lind put Toronto on board

In the bottom of the first, Toronto batters Marco Scutaro and Aaron Hill were retired quickly by Gavin Floyd but Rios hit his fifth home run of the season off a low fastball to make it 2-1.

On Halladay's return to the mound in the second, he struck out Corky Miller and Brett Lillibridge, giving him three straight Ks. Podsednik grounded out to third baseman Scott Rolen to close the top of the inning.

After surrendering three hits in the first inning, Halladay didn't give up another until the fourth when Thome pounded the ball over Rios for a double. Halladay stranded him though, forcing two pop-outs and striking out Miller for the second time.

The Blue Jays' offence got going in the fourth as Hill and Rios notched singles before Vernon Wells hit into a fielder's choice that put Rios on the bench and runners on the corners. That brought up designated hitter Lind, who knocked a three-run homer — his seventh of the year and 35th RBI of the season — to put Toronto out front 4-2.

Toronto added to its lead in the fifth after Barajas scored from first base on an RBI double off the wall from Scutaro. Barajas beat a close throw at the plate to make it 5-2.

"I know myself, especially in that first inning, I felt if I can settle down and stop the bleeding we've got a chance this early, we can score some runs," said Halladay. "I think that's been a nice part of this year. I don't expect it.

"But I don't think you're surprised when it does happen. I know there are going to be times when you give up those two runs in the first sometimes you don't get them back. That's just part of the game."

A scary moment for Toronto came on the next play when a pickoff attempt at third by White Sox catcher Miller nailed Scutaro in the chest as he slid into the bag.

The Blue Jays' leadoff man shook it off and stayed in the game, scoring on a Rios single on the next play. John McDonald subbed for Scutaro at shortstop in the seventh.

In the sixth with two out and Konerko on third, Rolen made a diving stab off a Fields smash and threw him out to end the scoring threat and keep the four-run lead for Halladay.

Jays chase Floyd after 5

Floyd's day was done after the fifth, surrendering six runs off seven hits, walking two and striking out four. Jimmy Gobble took the mound in the sixth for the White Sox and struck out the side for his first inning of work, then had another one-two-three outing in the seventh.

Halladay did much the same, striking out the first two Chicago batters in the seventh to finish his day. Jason Frasor and Jesse Carlson split time in the eighth, keeping Chicago looking for runs.

The eighth inning saw Bobby Jenks get the ball for the White Sox, but he had a rough go as Toronto added a pair of runs. Hill launched a leadoff shot to left field to make it 7-2, and Overbay brought Lind home with an RBI single.

Brandon League was tapped to close out the ninth for the Blue Jays, but walked two before his defence bailed him out with a game-ending double play.

The Blue Jays will look to close out the White Sox with a four-game sweep on Monday. Toronto's Scott Richmond and Chicago's Clayton Richard are expected to be the starters.

With files from The Canadian Press