Cone Unable to Stop Yankee Losing Streak

Esteban Loaiza did not allow an earned run in seven strong innings and the Toronto Blue Jays tagged David Cone and sent the Yankees to their fourth consecutive loss, 7-2, Wednesday night at Toronto.

“It’s a tough time right now,” said Cone, who gave up seven runs in only 3 2/3 innings. “We need somebody to step up.”

The Yankees lost for the sixth time in seven games, and have been outscored, 57-18, in that span. New York’s magic number for clinching the American League East is seven over the Blue Jays.

“It’s tough to pitch when you don’t have a fastball,” Yankee Manager Joe Torre said. “We need somebody to have a good outing.”

Cone (4-13) lost his the second consecutive start since dislocating his left shoulder in a game on Aug. 30. The 37-year-old gave up six hits and two walks for his third loss in his last four decisions.

“My fastball was really flat,” Cone said. “I thought I could pitch through it, and I’m willing to keep battling through this thing.”

The Yankees are 9-19 in Cone’s 28 starts this season.

“He’s been a starter for us all year and I don’t anticipate that to change,” said Torre, who added that he would talk with Cone today.

Torre, who criticized the team for its lack of energy after Tuesday’s 16-3 loss, liked what he saw from the team on Wednesday.

“I thought the energy level was better,” Torre said. “The final score doesn’t indicate that, but I just think the team was better.”

Dave Martinez tripled, doubled and drove in three runs as the Blue Jays won their third in a row.

Seattle 5, Tampa Bay 4--After disposing of the Devil Rays behind Aaron Sele’s pitching at St. Petersburg, Fla., and winning their eighth game in a row, the Mariners can now concentrate on the Oakland Athletics. The Mariners and Athletics being a four-game series tonight.

The Mariners finished their first undefeated trip in franchise history, going 6-0 at Baltimore and Tampa Bay.

Sele (16-10) went six innings, giving up four runs and nine hits. The right-hander is 6-0 in his career against Tampa Bay.

Chicago 13, Detroit 6--Paul Konerko drove in a career-high five runs and Ray Durham hit a grand slam to lead the White Sox in a rain-delayed game at Detroit.

The White Sox reduced their magic number for winning the AL Central title to six over Cleveland.

Texas 6, Minnesota 4--Ruben Sierra hit a tiebreaking single in the 12th inning for the Rangers at Minneapolis. Sierra singled and scored on Scott Sheldon’s homer in the ninth, tying the score at 3-3. Both teams scored a run in the 11th.