CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) _ On and off the field, Andy Ashby didn't make much progress Thursday.

Ashby had his fourth straight inconsistent start in the Philadelphia Phillies'' 8-4 loss to the New York Yankees, and the pitcher's agent didn't get anywhere in negotiations for a multiyear contract.

``It's nothing that's going to get done in spring training or the early part of the season,'' Phillies general manager Ed Wade said after a 15-minute session with agent Adam Katz. ``We'll continue to talk and see where it leads.''

Ashby, an All-Star the last two seasons, was acquired from San Diego during the offseason and is eligible for free agency after the World Series. The Phillies opened negotiations last month by faxing Katz a proposal for a three-year deal thought to be worth $21 million.

It was quickly shot down, and Katz didn't even bother to submit a counterproposal on Thursday.

``It's going slow because we're apart,'' Katz said.

Ashby gave up four runs and eight hits in five innings against the Yankees, leaving him with a 7.71 ERA. Ricky Ledee homered twice off Ashby, a two-run shot in the first and a leadoff homer in the fourth.

``The results weren't what I wanted, but my location was better and I actually felt pretty good,'' Ashby said. ``I just left too many pitches up.''

New York broke a 4-all tie in the eighth with four runs against Scott Aldred. Ledee capped a 3-of-4 day with a run-scoring double to give the Yankees the lead, Scott Brosius hit a two-run double and Chris Turner hit an RBI single.

Kevin Sefcik's sacrifice fly tied the score in the seventh.

Yankees starter Dave Cone allowing two runs _ one earned _ in four innings.