Not Even Johnson Can Save Yankees

Randy Johnson couldn’t keep the New York Yankees from falling into a tie for last place in the American League East.

Eduardo Perez hit two home runs off Johnson, Hideo Nomo pitched effectively into the sixth inning on three days’ rest and the Devil Rays ended an 11-game losing streak at Yankee Stadium with a 6-2 victory over New York on Tuesday night.

“This is the type of game that’ll give us a confidence boost,” Devil Ray Manager Lou Piniella said. “Hideo Nomo did an excellent job of pitching. We played flawless in the field too.”

Nomo and three relievers limited the Yankees to nine hits, one game after they battered Tampa Bay for 20 hits and 19 runs.

The Devil Rays’ first win in New York since Sept. 14, 2003, was the Yankees’ fifth loss in six games and dropped the American League East champions to 5-9 -- the same record as Tampa Bay.

Johnson (1-1) has given up five homers over two consecutive outings for the first time in his career, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

“He pitched well enough to win,” said Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter, who made a key error. “He just had a little problem with Perez.”

Nomo (2-1) was pitching on three days’ rest for the first time in 302 starts, the longest a starter had gone in major league history without going on short rest. Nomo was replacing Mark Hendrickson, who has inflammation in his left shoulder and will go on the disabled list today.

Toronto 4, Boston 3 -- Corey Koskie singled home the go-ahead run in the ninth with his fourth hit to back the pitching of Roy Halladay (3-0), who gave up only four hits in eight strong innings at Boston.

Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz homered for Boston, and Koskie and Vernon Wells homered for Toronto.

Kansas City 6, Cleveland 5 -- Alberto Castillo hit a game-winning homer off Arthur Rhodes (1-1) with two out in the ninth inning at Kansas City, Mo. Mike MacDougal (1-0) pitched one inning for Kansas City, which outhit Cleveland, 15-14.

Chicago 3, Minnesota 1 -- Paul Konerko hit his major league-leading seventh home run, and Orlando Hernandez (2-1) pitched six shutout innings at Chicago.

Baltimore 8, Detroit 4 -- Brian Roberts kept up his surprising power surge with a three-run homer, and Miguel Tejada and Rafael Palmeiro had solo shots for the host Orioles.

Texas 3, Oakland 0 -- Pedro Astacio (1-1) pitched eight shutout innings at Arlington, Texas, for his first victory in nearly two years.