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  Wednesday, Sep. 20 7:05pm ET
Blue Jays batter Cone in 7-2 win
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME LOG

TORONTO (AP) -- David Cone couldn't end New York's slump.

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

David Cone
David Cone gave up seven runs in 3 2/3 innings for his third loss in his last four decisions.

"It's a tough time right now," said Cone, who gave up seven runs in just 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 AL East is seven over the Blue Jays.

"It's tough to pitch when you don't have a fastball," New York manager Joe Torre said. "We need somebody to have a good outing."

Cone (4-13) lost his second straight start since dislocating his left shoulder in a game 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 on Thursday.

Torre, who criticized the team for its lack of energy after Tuesday's 16-3 loss, liked what he saw from the Yankees 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. They are 3½ games behind Cleveland in the AL wild-card race.

"We can't give up," Loaiza said. "Everybody is close."

Loaiza (10-11), who lost to the Yankees last week, allowed one unearned run and five hits in seven innings. He struck out three, walked three and benefited from three double-play grounders.

"We got some guys on, but we kept hitting into double-plays," Torre said.

Loaiza is 5-5 since being traded from Texas to Toronto.

Martinez hit an RBI triple in the third off Cone and a two-run double with two outs in the fourth off Dwight Gooden.

"Cone might have lost something off his fastball, but I still think he's a good pitcher," Martinez said.

Toronto took a 1-0 lead in the first when Shannon Stewart scored from third on Martinez's double-play grounder.

The Yankees tied it in the second as Bernie Williams doubled and scored on shortstop Alex Gonzalez's fielding error.

After Martinez hit his RBI triple in the third, Carlos Delgado's sacrifice fly made it 3-1.

Cone walked Tony Batista and allowed a single to Darrin Fletcher in the fourth. Cone left after giving up Mickey Morandini's RBI single and Gonzalez's run-scoring double.

Martinez followed with his double off Gooden to give the Blue Jays a 7-1 lead.

Luis Polonia hit an RBI single in the Yankees ninth off Billy Koch.

Game notes
LHP David Wells, who missed Tuesday's start because of gout in his right big toe, expects to make his scheduled start Thursday for the Blue Jays. He'll be facing the Yankees, trying for his 20th victory. "He feels much better today," Toronto manager Jim Fregosi said. "It's a little tender, but he's on his medication. He seems to think he'll be able to make the start." ... Delgado has 136 RBI. ... Yankees OF Paul O'Neill missed his fifth straight game with a right hip pointer.
 


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