FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) _ Ed Yarnall struggled again.

Yarnall, whose bid to become New York's fifth starter has been spiraling downward all spring, allowed four runs and seven hits in 3 1-3 innings of the Yankees' 12-5 win over the Minnesota Twins on Sunday.

``He wasn't very good ... he just seems lost,'' Yankees manager Joe Torre said. ``He threw his fastball for strikes, but he wasn't getting anything else over. He's just going to have to fight his way through it.''

With the Yankees starting the season with a four-man rotation, Torre said Yarnall will remain in Florida when the team breaks camp Wednesday for exhibition games in Houston and San Francisco.

``We know it's there, I just think he's put a lot of pressure on himself from the slow start and he's having trouble right now,'' Torre said. ``It will come, it's just a matter of when it happens.''

In four appearances after being sidelined by back stiffness, Yarnall has given up 25 runs and 28 hits in 9 1-3 innings.

``I wasn't consistent, but it was better,'' Yarnall said. ``When you struggle, the game is not real fun. I'm a little behind the guys and trying to catch up. Hopefully I can go out and keep getting better.''

The Yankees won't need a fifth starter until around April 15, which means Yarnall could start the season at Triple-A Columbus.

The other contender for the fifth spot, Ramiro Mendoza, will be the starter in Monday night's game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Bernie Williams went 3-for-4 _ including a three-run homer in the fourth inning _ and drove in four runs for the Yankees, who won their fourth straight game.

Jon Zuber, who might make the opening day roster as a reserve, went 3-for-5 with four RBIs. He had a three-run double during the Yankees' five-run first-inning.

On Sunday, Yarnall threw 87 pitches, including 51 strikes. Forty-three of the pitches came during a two-run first-inning that saw Butch Huskey and Matt LeCroy hit consecutive RBI singles.

The Twins also scored twice in the fourth inning. Chad Allen had a run-scoring triple.

Yarnall, who walked two and struck out one, left with a runner on third and one out.

Yankees reliever Allen Watson, coming off a shoulder injury, allowed one hit during a scoreless seventh. The left-hander is scheduled to pitch again Monday.

``Tomorrow is the big test,'' Watson said. ``Today was the best it's felt all spring.''

Twins starter LaTroy Hawkins gave up seven runs and eight hits in two innings. Notes:@ Torre said he would feel comfortable starting the season with Jim Leyritz as the backup catcher. ... The Yankees appear leaning toward starting Ricky Ledee in left field and using Shane Spencer in a DH role. ... The Yankees have scored 38 runs over the past three games. ... New York's home opening day starter RHP David Cone threw seven shutout innings in a minor-league intrasquad game.