There’s Something Different About Cone, but Not Result

Even a new look and the last-place Tampa Bay Devil Rays couldn’t help David Cone get his first win in nearly three months.

Cone lost his career-high seventh consecutive decision despite his best performance in a month as the Devil Rays defeated the New York Yankees, 12-4, on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

In six innings, Cone (1-9) gave up six hits and three runs--the fewest he has allowed since June 16 against the Chicago White Sox, who scored once. Cone is 3-14 with a 5.81 earned-run average in 31 starts since pitching a perfect game against Montreal on July 18, 1999.

“It’s a ball of confusion right now for me,” Cone said.

Cone, known for his arm angles and different windups, tried yet another approach Saturday: a modified El Duque look. He wore his socks high and used a high leg kick similar to teammate Orlando Hernandez.

“I’m in search mode looking for something that works,” Cone said. “It was a somewhat tribute to my idol El Duque.”

While the result was better, it wasn’t good enough. Cone is winless in 13 starts since April 28, with the Yankees losing the last 11 of those games.

Cone struck out the first two batters he faced, then gave up Greg Vaughn’s 16th home run. He had retired 12 of 13 before Fred McGriff singled with two outs in the sixth and stole his first base since April 18, 1999. McGriff scored on a single by Steve Cox.

Tampa Bay starter Ryan Rupe, who entered with a 9.39 ERA, gave up two runs and seven hits in six innings. It was the first start for Rupe (2-4) against the Yankees.

Seattle 13, Texas 5--Joe Oliver’s fifth-inning grand slam at Seattle helped the Mariners to their fourth consecutive victory over the Rangers.

The game was halted for 54 minutes after the third inning when a rainstorm drenched Safeco Field and the $517.6-million stadium’s retractable roof wouldn’t shut because of a computer problem.

Boston 8, Chicago 6--Jeff Fassero (7-3) gave up two hits in six scoreless innings at Boston to win for the first time in six starts. Fassero left before the seventh inning with a cramp in his left calf.

Scott Hatteberg hit a three-run homer to help the Red Sox take a 6-0 lead and Nomar Garciaparra had two hits to raise his average to .395.

Kansas City 8-6, Detroit 5-10--Jose Macias hit a grand slam for his first homer of the season as the Tigers won the second game of a day-night doubleheader at Detroit. Gregg Zaun drove in three runs to help the Royals win the first game.

Kansas City’s Johnny Damon went two for seven in the doubleheader after getting an American League record-tying 15 hits in four games.

Baltimore 8, Toronto 2--Jose Mercedes (5-4) gave up seven hits and a run in seven innings at Toronto as the Orioles defeated Esteban Loaiza (5-7) in his Blue Jay debut.

Loaiza, acquired from Texas Wednesday for two minor leaguers, gave up six runs in five innings.

Minnesota 10, Cleveland 6--Ron Coomer had four hits and David Ortiz three--giving him 13 hits in 17 at-bats--at Minneapolis as the Twins handed the Indians their fourth consecutive loss.

Cleveland shortstop Omar Vizquel had his errorless streak end at 95 games--the second longest in the major leagues to Rey Ordonez’s 101 games. Vizquel shares the American League record with Cal Ripken.