Four observations as Yankees now face elimination with ALDS Game 2 loss
Four observations as Yankees now face elimination with ALDS Game 2 loss
Pete Caldera, NorthJersey.comTue, October 6, 2026 at 3:16 AM UTC
0
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - This was the Rays' way, on full display in a pivotal Game 2.
Put the ball in play, use speed and daring on the bases and force the defense - in this case a skittish group of Yankees infielders - to make plays, or mistakes.
Cam Schlittler wasn't at his best Monday night, but the Yankees threatened a franchise postseason record for errors in one game at Tropicana Field, where the Rays own a huge house advantage.
Under the dome and on the spongy artificial surface, the Yankees' 5-2 loss pushed them to the brink elimination as this best-of-five AL Division Series shifts to the Bronx on Wednesday night.
Here are our takeaways from a lost Game 2:
Yankees' sloppy play and then Cam Schlittler's early exit
This is where it all unraveled, with a four-run fifth inning that broke open a 1-1 game.
Jonathan Aranda (single) and Junior Caminero (double) opened at second and third. From there, two misplays by rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr. led to two runs.
Schlittler was gone after 76 stressful pitches (7 hits, 1 walk, just 2 strikeouts), leading to Richie Palacios' sharp, two-run single off a full-count pitch by Brent Headrick.
Just before that two-out hit made it 5-1, Lombard - with a runner crossing in front of him as he fielded Jonny DeLuca's grounder - rushed a wide throw to first for an error.
The first two runs off Schlittler were the product of soft contact, but highlighted the Rays' ability to pressure a defense with their speed and ability to put the ball in play - even against a pitcher with three different fastballs at high octane who'll be a shoe-in Cy Young Award winner next month.
Both came with the Yanks' infield in.
Liam Hicks' soft bouncer toward second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. took away his play at the plate, settling for the out at first.
Next up, Chandler Simpson, possibly the fastest runner in game, sent a weak grounder to Lombard, who whiffed on a rushed backhanded attempt, looking for a play at the plate.
Originally scored an error, it went as an infield hit and the Rays had a 3-1 lead.
Yankees off to nightmare start with 3 errors in first inning
And it could've been even worse.
Tampa Bay led 1-0 after the first, an inning where the Yanks' committed three errors - including a throwing error by second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. that scored the unearned run.
Advertisement
Chisholm's second errant toss cost the Yanks a synch inning-ending double play, but Schlittler picked up his teammates in that 19-pitch frame.
It started with a leadoff error by third baseman Ryan McMahon on Yandy Diaz's grounder and included a would-be third strike erased by Austin Wells' catcher's interference on Liam Hicks.
The Yanks' inability to take care of the ball has been a fundamental issue at times, and it has cost them in postseason, most notably in the decisive World Series Game 5 vs. the Dodgers.
Chisholm's error was a reckless play; he had no shot at doubling up Caminero, who was well across first base as the second baseman's off-balance throw went wild.
Ben Rice is Yankees' only bright spot in Game 2
Ben Rice's two-homer night gave him four in four postseason games this year.
Leading off the fourth inning against Peralta, the lefty-hitting Rice's game-tying solo home was the Yanks first hit Monday, after being one-hit in Game 1 by Drew Rasmussen and Bryan Baker.
Rice's love affair with the Trop continued with a solo shot in the eighth off lefty Ian Seymour, making Rice a .448 hitter (13-for-29) this year - including postseason - under St. Pete's outdated dome, with seven home runs and 12 RBI.
Of course, we were bound to have some catwalk chaos here too, when Spencer Jones' towering fly to start the second inning struck the B-ring (in play).
But right fielder Victor Mesa Jr. made the catch - which otherwise would've likely been a fly out to center.
Why didn't Yankees make any changes to Game 2 lineup?
Before the game, Yanks manager Aaron Boone said he though about some alteration to his lineup.
But he ultimately felt convicted in running back the same order that was no-hit by Drew Rasmussen into the eighth inning of Game 1.
Once change he could've made was for McMahon, who entered 1-for-14 vs. starter Freddy Peralta, who lasted 4.2 innings.
Yet to see a 2026 postseason at-bat entering Monday, Jose Caballero (0-for-2 career vs. Peralta) was one possible choice.
Anthony Volpe (2-for-4, double, HR career vs. Peralta) was another, but that small sample size, plus Boone's reluctance to play him at third base at the Trop was a factor.
McMahon (0-for-1) did draw a full-count walk that ended Peralta's night in the fifth inning.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Four observations as Yankees now face elimination with ALDS Game 2 loss
Source: “AOL Sports”
