(My Sportsbook) - The bullpen took yet another loss for the Blue Jays in their 4-3 setback to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Tuesday.

With the score tied 3-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Toronto reliever Jason Kershner surrendered a leadoff walk to Aubrey Huff and Damion Easley singled to right to put runners on the corners.

Jeff Tam then entered the game for the Blue Jays and struck out pinch-hitter Javier Valentin, but subsequently allowed a single to Toby Hall that brought in what proved to be the winning run.

The loss was the fifth in six games for slumping Toronto and 11th in its last 13.

"There are no guaranteed victories just because you're playing Tampa Bay or Detroit," Toronto outfielder Shannon Stewart said. "These guys can play. They're major league baseball players. You have to tighten up and win the tough games. Today was a tough one and they beat us."

With the defeat, the Blue Jays equaled their worst start in franchise history of 7-14, also accomplished in 1979 and 1981.

The main reason for Toronto's rocky start has been its bullpen. Of the four relievers that have appeared in at least 10 games so far for the Blue Jays, each has an ERA over 5.00. Tam is 0-1 with a 5.06 ERA in 11 games and Cliff Politte is 0-2 with a 5.19 ERA in 10 contests. Doug Creek has a 7.20 ERA and Trever Miller owns a 7.50 ERA, with both appearing in 11 games.

Closer Kelvim Escobar has been especially horrid for the Blue Jays, as evidenced by his enormous 15.00 ERA. In just six innings of work this season, Escobar has allowed 10 runs on 13 hits. Opponents are batting .419 against Escobar, who has totaled just two saves in seven outings.

The Toronto starters aren't exactly holding their own either. Ace Roy Halladay is 0-2 on the year with a 4.96 ERA in five starts, while Tanyon Sturtze (5.09), Cory Lidle (6.23) and Mark Hendrickson (6.97) also have bloated ERA's.

The Toronto pitching staff has a combined ERA of 5.53 this year. In the previous series against Boston, the Blue Jays allowed a total of 26 runs over four games.

The Blue Jays have been able to stay in games because of their solid offensive production. The team is third in the American League this season with 109 runs scored.

WHO'S HOT

Carlos Delgado has been hot out of the gate for Toronto. The first baseman is batting .324 with five home runs, 19 RBI, 15 runs and 17 walks.

WHO'S NOT

Outside of the pitching staff, designated hitter Josh Phelps and third baseman Eric Hinske haven't lived up to expectations so far in 2003, as both are batting just .243. Phelps has collected only two homers and four RBI on the year, while Hinske has gone deep just once.

COMING UP

The Blue Jays have two games left in their series with Tampa Bay and on their 11-game road trip. Toronto returns home Friday to open a three-game set with Kansas City.