TAMPA, Fla. (AP) _ Ed Yarnall may have lost his grip on becoming the fifth starter for the New York Yankees.

Yarnall allowed six runs and six hits in two innings as the Toronto Blue Jays beat New York 8-3 Tuesday night, leaving the Yankees with a six-game losing streak and a 5-18 spring record, the worst in the major leagues.

``To tell you the truth, I felt embarrassed to go out there and give up that many hits,'' Yarnall said. ``It definitely it didn't help. It took a chunk out of my chances. I'm starting the year out in a slump so to speak.''

Carlos Delgado hit a two-run homer off Yarnall in the sixth inning. Homer Bush had a two-run double during a four-run seventh.

Ramiro Mendoza, the other contender for the No. 5 spot, will start Thursday's game against Boston.

``We're still unsettled, let's put it that way,'' said Yankees manager Joe Torre of the open No. 5 spot.

The Yankees wouldn't need a fifth starter until around April 15. Potential options for Yarnall include him staying in Florida when the team breaks camp or starting the season at Triple-A Columbus.

New York has lost 11 of 12, and Yankees' owner George Steinbrenner called for a postgame staff meeting that was still going on near midnight.

``If we didn't win another game this spring, I would have confidence in this club,'' Torre said. ``There's no question you want to win some games. Everybody is playing hard, I don't sense anybody just going through the motions.''

Former Yankee David Wells gave up three runs _ two earned _ and four hits in five innings for the Blue Jays, who have won six straight. He had four strikeouts and allowed two solo homers.

David Cone, expected to start the Yankees home opener on April 11, allowed two runs and three hits in five innings. He struck out six _ including the last three hitters he faced _ and walked two.

Derek Jeter and Jim Leyritz homered in the first and second innings respectively, putting New York up 2-0.

Raul Mondesi had an RBI triple and Delagdo added a sacrifice fly as the Blue Jays tied it in the fourth.

Yankees right-fielder Paul O'Neill preserved the 2-all deadlock, throwing out Brad Fullmer at the plate on Darrin Fletcher's two-out single.

Toronto's Shannon Stewart singled in the seventh inning to extend his hitting streak to 11 games. ^Notes@ New York OF Tim Raines, who is trying to comeback from Lupus, did not play and may have made his last appearance in a Yankees' uniform. ... Blue Jays RHP Joey Hamilton (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day disabled list and will remain behind when the Blue Jays leave Florida. ... New York LHP Allen Watson (shoulder) is scheduled to pitch Saturday, but his opening day status has not been determined. ... Yankees 1B Nick Johnson said his injured right wrist is still sore. He remains sidelined indefinitely.