Kevin Brown fidgeted in his locker, an inferno of emotions burning inside him.

The Yankee starter, who pitched without his control early yesterday, toughed out seven innings of two-run (one earned) ball. He received a no-decision, but took some of the blame after the Yankees’ 3-2, 12-inning loss to the Red Sox. Brown gave up four hits and walked four.

If Brown ever leans on the athlete cliche and says he is his toughest critic, believe him.

With the Yankee offense sputtering again, yesterday’s loss wasn’t his fault, no matter how poorly he started.

In the first, Brown walked the first two batters he faced, which ultimately led to Manny Ramirez’ sacrifice fly to center. Afterward, Brown couldn’t explain what happened.

“If I had all the answers of why you go out and don’t feel good some days, I’d be the biggest genius in the game,” said Brown, who lowered his ERA from 2.33 to a very New York 2.12.

In the second, the run Brown gave up was unearned because of his own mistakes. Brown made two errors in the inning, which lead to the Boston run.

Leading off, Kevin Millar hit a comebacker that Brown knocked down before gathering and firing high over first baseman’s Travis Lee.

“I should have caught the ball,” Brown said. “I thought it was hit harder. I reached for it and it wasn’t there. I basically made two errors-worth. I missed it and I should have caught it and then I made bad throw.”

Next, on Mark Bellhorn’s grounder to first, Brown, looking for the bag, mishandled the flip from Lee. To make matters worse, Brown grazed Gabe Kapler’s right leg next.

The bases were loaded and the Red Sox hadn’t even hit a ball out of the infield. After a Pokey Reese sacrifice fly, Brown escaped without further harm.