Yankees lose again; Torre rumors swirl

NEW YORK —  George Steinbrenner stayed silent about Joe Torre’s job status after the Yankees’ latest loss, a 7-4 wipeout Sunday against the Boston Red Sox that completed an awful April for New York. Not so, Derek Jeter, who delivered a stirring defense of his manager.

Steinbrenner is said to be angry with the Yankees’ 9-14 start. He considered firing Torre after last year’s first-round playoff loss to Detroit and could be thinking about making a change now, with New York heading on the road after losing eight of nine.

Surrounded by reporters, the Yankees’ captain insisted criticism of the manager was unwarranted.

“It’s unfair,” Jeter said. “There’s no way he’s responsible for us performing. He’s not hitting for us. He’s not pitching for us. He puts the best players out there on the field, gives us an opportunity to win. We’re just not doing the job. That’s unfair, and it should stop.”

Boston is 5-1 against New York this season. The Red Sox have a four-game division lead and are 6 1/2 ahead of the Yankees, baseball’s $195-million bust.