The New York Yankees could not get out of their own way Monday in their ALDS Game 2 clash against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Rays’ first at-bat of the contest was a sign of things to come at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. Batter Yandy Diaz hit a bouncing ball to third base that ate up infielder Ryan McMahon to put the Rays’ leadoff man on base.
Following a Jonathan Aranda single, Diaz scored thanks to a boneheaded play by second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., who tried to make a hero play after getting a force out at second. Chisholm blindly threw to first base to try for a double play despite having no chance to get Junior Caminero.
The Yankees had a TERRIBLE first inning defensively https://t.co/pKJ2WYyMbU
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) October 6, 2026
Yankees starter Cam Schlittler then had a strikeout revoked over catcher’s interference on Liam Hicks’ at-bat, followed by Chisholm nearly committing another error on a force out at second base. Chisholm was fortunate that George Lombard Jr. was able to make an athletic play on his wide throw, still getting the out and preventing the ball from going into left field.
The Yankees committed four defensive blunders and three official errors in the first inning alone. New York was fortunate to get out of the inning having allowed only one run.
The Yankees’ offense did not do much better, finishing with as many hits (4) as errors (4) in a 5-2 loss to the Rays.
