Gooden, Cone Can’t Help Yankees, 15-4

Dwight Gooden was ineffective in his first start in eight weeks. David Cone was even worse in his first relief appearance in eight years.

Damion Easley and Bobby Higginson hit two-run homers as the Detroit Tigers pounded the former Cy Young Award winners in a 15-4 victory over the New York Yankees on Monday night at New York.

New York, which is 5 1/2 games ahead of Toronto in the AL East, had its magic number drop to two because Toronto lost to Tampa Bay. The Yankees, who have lost eight of 11, finish the regular season in Tampa Bay and Baltimore.

Gooden (6-5), in his first start since Aug. 1, allowed allowed five runs and six hits in 2 2/3 innings.

In what could be his final appearance in pinstripes at Yankee Stadium, Cone allowed four runs, five hits and three walks in 1 1/3 innings--jeopardizing his spot on the playoff roster. He is a free agent after this season and is unlikely to be signed.

Steve Sparks (7-5) allowed four runs and 10 hits in eight innings, keeping the Yankees off-stride with his knuckleball.

Tampa Bay 5, Toronto 1--Fred McGriff hit a three-run homer and Paul Wilson pitched seven scoreless innings for the Devil Rays at Toronto.

The Blue Jays, who have six games remaining, are 4 1/2 games behind the Oakland Athletics in the wild-card race.

One day after rookie Travis Harper pitched a two-hitter against the Blue Jays, Wilson held them to three hits for his first AL victory.

Todd Greene’s homer off Esteban Yan in the eighth gave Toronto an AL record for home runs in a season (134) at home.