TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays started last season with an April swoon that they never really recovered from. Buoyed by a four-game winning streak and a return to the .500 mark entering play Thursday night, manager John Gibbons said the feeling around the team is much better now than this time last year. "No doubt. I think last year was a little bit of a shock to everybody," Gibbons said during a pre-game availability. "But I think they always had a good attitude. But everybody was kind of like they got hit by a two-by-four ... I definitely feel something different this year. "Theyre feeling good." Expectations were sky-high for last years squad after an off-season makeover brought in big names like R.A. Dickey, Jose Reyes, Melky Cabrera and Mark Buehrle. However, the team lost 21 of its first 31 games and struggled to a last-place finish in the American League East. General manager Alex Anthopoulos kept the changes to a minimum in the last off-season. There are early signs that might have been a prudent approach. The Blue Jays had a few hiccups in recent weeks -- including a couple meltdowns from their usually strong bullpen -- but appear to be back in form as they continued a nine-game homestand Thursday night against the Philadelphia Phillies. Torontos starting rotation has been anchored by the steady play of Buehrle, who is off to a 6-1 start with a sparkling 1.91 earned-run average. The Blue Jays starters have been going deeper into games and easing the pressure on the bullpen, which looked good early on but has had some inconsistent patches. Closer Casey Janssen could return from his rehab assignment in the coming days and that would also give the relief crew a boost. Injuries were a problem last year. The absence of Reyes for most of the first half of the season had a ripple effect through the order and his defensive skills were missed. His troublesome hamstring was an issue last month but his game appears to be coming around. A big difference early on this year is the meat of the lineup looks comfortable and is getting results. Entering play Thursday, Melky Cabrera (.329, 6 HR, 14 RBIs) leads the American League with 48 hits, Jose Bautista (.300, 9 HR, 21 RBIs) has reached base in all 34 games and leads the American League with a 1.041 OPS (on-base plus slugging) while Edwin Encarnacion (.242, 4 HR, 21 RBIs) has been a threat in the cleanup spot. There have also been some nice bonuses. Backup catcher Josh Thole is hitting .400, Juan Francisco filled in admirably when Adam Lind went down with a back problem and regular catcher Dioner Navarro has a .300 average. Lind was activated Thursday and served as the designated hitter against the Phillies. He was hitting .324 at the time of his injury. The Blue Jays have also been hitting for power -- they lead the American League with 44 home runs and a team slugging percentage of .432 entering play against Philadelphia. No one is strutting around the dugout after splitting the first 34 games of the season. But its a marked improvement from the 13-23 record and woeful .361 winning percentage the Blue Jays had on this date last year. Perhaps the positive feelings are boosted by the fact the other American League East clubs are in a similar boat with only 3 1/2 games separating first from worst. The Blue Jays will play four games against the Los Angeles Angels before closing out the homestand with a three-game set against the Cleveland Indians. Addison Russell Jersey . Brooks replaces right-hander Yordano Ventura, who left his last outing with a sore elbow. Ventura is expected to miss one start. Brooks has made one relief appearance for the Royals this season, allowing six runs in two innings in a May 3 loss to Detroit. Daniel Descalso Jersey .85 million contract with the two-time Gold Glove outfielder. Parra earned his second Gold Glove last season when he set a club record with 17 outfield assists. http://www.customcubsjersey.com/custom-jason-heyward-jersey-large-1920n.html. The 23-year-old Neustaedter will move at the end of the season when his contract with Moenchengladbach expires. He signed a four-year deal with Schalke. Alec Mills Jersey . Orlando is to begin play in the MLS for the 2015 season. Kaka, who currently plays with AC Milan, is expected to be loaned out to his home club Sao Paulo for the upcoming season before joining Orlando for next season. Danny Hultzen Jersey .Cameron sustained his third concussion in three seasons last week on a hit by Oakland safety Brandion Ross, who was fined $22,050 by the NFL for the helmet-to-helmet blow.College Park, MD (SportsNetwork.com) - Dez Wells and No. 13 Maryland handed Northwestern another heartbreaking loss on Sunday. Wells acrobatic putback with 1.4 seconds remaining capped a furious comeback and lifted the Terrapins to a 68-67 victory. Northwestern appeared on its way to snapping a five-game losing streak as the Wildcats led by 11 with under 3 1/2 minutes on the clock. But Melo Trimbles three-point play ignited a 16-4 run to end the game, and the Terrapins (18-3, 6-2 Big Ten) escaped with a win three days after losing by 19 to Indiana. We almost had to be perfect after the last media timeout, and we were pretty close to that, Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon said. Trimble finished with 27 points and Wells added 17 for Maryland, which did not take its first lead until made Trimble made two free throws with 20.6 seconds on the clock. Tre Demps answered with a deep jumper, and Trimbles rushed 3-point attempt was off the mark. Wells, though, outjumped JerShon Cobb on the left block, grabbed the rebound and banked in the game-winner all in one motion. I didnt like the shot that Melo Trimble took butt Dez does what Dez does, Turgeon said.dddddddddddd Dez was upset that he let Tre Demps score on him so he was going to get to that ball. Northwesterns desperation heave was late and long, and Bryant McIntoshs 21- point night on 10-of-14 shooting went by the wayside. Its been a tough couple of weeks but thats part of basketball, said Northwestern head coach Chris Collins. There is a lot of good, were playing really well, but were not getting the results. We have to find a way to start getting the results. The Wildcats (10-10, 1-6) shot a staggering 69.6 percent from the field in the first half, led by as many as 14 and took a healthy 41-30 lead into the break. They missed their first five shots of the second half, but Maryland only got as close as six in the early going. McIntoshs jumper yielded what appeared to be a commanding 63-52 cushion with 3:46 remaining. Game Notes This was Northwesterns first trip to College Park ... Sanjay Lumpkin scored 12 points for the Wildcats, who committed 17 turnovers ... Maryland was outscored at the foul line 18-7. ' ' '