BOSTON — Now that the winning streak is over, Red Sox fans can go back to finding something to fret about. It’s just that they are going to have to think up a new issue to wring their hands over.

The number-one worry for the first two weeks — that the bottom of the batting order would drag the team down all season — no longer applies. Not after what has happened in the last 10 days.

The Sox saw their five-game winning streak end, 7-3, to Toronto last night. It was something of a letdown after all the emotion during the sweep against the Yankees.

Fenway was not dead, by any means, but it was nothing like it was over the weekend. The Blue Jays do not evoke the same kind of intensity, especially when they arrive on a five-game losing streak, as they did this time.

Boston fans focusing on their team could blame this loss on the guys at the top of the order. Julio Lugo, Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and J.D. Drew went a combined 2-for-23 with one run scored and no RBI.

Or they could blame the usual lack of offense whenever Tim Wakefield pitches. For whatever reason, the Sox hitters knuckle under on the nights Wakefield takes the mound. With the three runs last night, the team has totaled only 15 runs while Wakefield has been in the game in his last nine starts, going back to last season.

For those who want to worry, there is always something when the Sox lose. On the other hand, for those who see the glass as half full, they can look to the bottom half of the order and see reason for encouragement, even on a night when the winning streak ended.

Mike Lowell, the hottest of the Sox at the plate, had two hits and a walk from the six hole. Wily Mo Pena, in the seven spot, lined a single to left, helping the Sox score a run in the sixth. Doug Mirabelli had a double, a single and a walk and Dustin Pedroia had a two-run double and a walk.

If you’re counting along, that means the bottom four, the team’s supposed Achilles heel, was 6-for-12 and reached base nine times last night.

Not that such work is new and different. After a slow start, struggles that were enough to get Sox fans from Bangor to Burrillville talking about the lack of support for Ortiz and Ramirez, the bottom of the order has more than held up its end of the bargain.

“We know we need to hit, one through nine,” manager Terry Francona said after the game. “The more balance you have the more chance you have to win.”

Despite what some might think, that balance has been there so far.

For whatever reason, some had written off Lowell. The veteran who was a virtual throw-in in the Josh Beckett deal with Florida, hit .284 with 47 doubles, 20 home runs and 80 RBI last season. There were only a handful of third basemen who were as productive.

Somehow, a consensus seemed to have formed over the winter and spring that Lowell could not do it again, that the team would have to live with lesser numbers. Lowell has not gone along. He now has a nine-game hitting streak (14-for-35, a .400 average) to lift his average from .233 to .323.

Pedroia, after going 0-for-13, had two hits in the Yankees’ finale, in addition to making a great diving play at second base. Last night, he had Boston’s biggest hit of the game, a bases-loaded drive off the Monster in left-center in the fourth that turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 Sox lead.

The Sox hope his work Sunday night will get him moving in the right direction. There was more talk yesterday about his diving defensive play than his hitting.

“That play he made defensively was more important than any hit he got last night,” said Francona. “Fortunately, he understands that. It was also nice to see him get hits because you want to see guys have success, for sure. Hopefully, now he takes that and run with it.”

Jason Varitek, who had last night off, was 6-for-12 in the Yankees sweep, including two homers and four RBI. He has lifted his average from .189 to .265, and the talk that his days as a solid offensive contributor have quieted considerably.

Coco Crisp, who is battling an oblique strain, has had eight hits in his last 20 at-bats to lift his average from .111 to .214. He is expected to return to the lineup tonight.

The bottom line is that the Sox’ offense has been, and likely will be, just fine. The team began the night leading the American League in both on-base percentage (.355) and slugging percentage (.441). Yes, the Sox were ahead of the Yankees in both, with New York second in those departments at .352 and .438. The offense is fine, at least when Wakefield is not on the mound.

“It takes a while to get started,” Pedroia said, speaking of himself but perhaps speaking for the entire team, as well. “Once it starts clicking, you go from there.”

Francona spoke about how he is satisfied with what he has gotten from the bottom of his order.

“I think they have been,” he responded when asked about the five-through-nine hitters doing well last night. “Tek (Varitek) has. When Dougie (Mirabelli) plays, he has really been swinging. Pedroia is starting to get some hits.”

Anyone looking for something to worry about could perhaps look to the defense. The Sox made two errors last night. Lowell already has made as many errors this season (six) as he did all of last year. The relief pitching, after being so good recently, had a tough time last night.

It’s not much, but at least it’s something to worry about.

pkenyon@projo.com