Red Sox Contribute to Yankees’ Skid

Roger Clemens was hit hard and failed to record the 300th victory of his career, and the New York Yankees lost for the fifth time in a row, this one to the Boston Red Sox, 8-4, Monday at Yankee Stadium.

“We’re not hitting, we’re not pitching, we’re not playing defense, we’re not running the bases,” shortstop Derek Jeter said. “When you don’t do those things, you’re going to lose.”

The skid is New York’s longest since dropping seven in a row late in 2000. The Yankees have lost 12 of 15 for the first time since that year.

The Yankees have particularly struggled at home, losing eight in a row for the first time since a 10-game skid in 1986, which included one loss to Clemens when he pitched for the Red Sox.

New York has dropped 12 of 13 at home for the first time in franchise history and has begun to hear boos from the fans.

“It’s very difficult for me,” second baseman Alfonso Soriano said. “I’ve been here on the Yankees for three years now. I’ve never seen anything like this, losing so many games at home.”

The Yankees fell 2 1/2 games behind the first-place Red Sox in the American League East.

“I don’t think we’re eliminated from the race yet,” Clemens said. “But we need to play better.”

The Red Sox tagged Clemens (6-3) for eight runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings. Manager Joe Torre gave him plenty of opportunities, letting the right-hander throw 133 pitches -- his highest total in more than two years.

Yankee starters began the season 16-0 but none of the five could make it past the sixth inning during the five-game skid in which they all lost once.

“You just keep shaking your head and wonder when it will stop,” catcher Jorge Posada said.

Nomar Garciaparra extended his hitting streak to 26 games and Todd Walker drove in three runs for the Red Sox.

Tim Wakefield (5-2) picked up the victory but got no special satisfaction from spoiling Clemens’ bid.

“Roger was a teammate of mine for two years and I respect Roger more than anybody in the game,” he said.

Detroit 6, Cleveland 5 -- Brandon Inge hit a tiebreaking homer against Jason Boyd (0-1) with two out in the seventh inning and the Tigers earned their fourth victory at home.

Steve Avery (2-0) got the victory despite giving up a score-tying, three-run home run to Brandon Phillips with two out in the seventh.

Toronto 11, Chicago 5 -- Carlos Delgado hit a two-run single in a five-run bottom of the sixth inning and the Blue Jays won for the fifth time in a row. Chris Woodward and Josh Phelps homered for the Blue Jays, who moved to within 1 1/2 games of the second-place Yankees in the AL East.