The New York Yankees, for the first time in their entire team history, committed three errors in a single inning on Monday night during Game 2 of the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays. This was an ugly, ugly start that absolutely gifted the Rays a 1-0 lead right out of the gate. Talk about a nightmare scenario unfolding live!
The Defensive Breakdown That Led to a Gifting
Sometimes, the scouting report just plays out exactly as everyone expects. The AL-best Tampa Bay Rays are famous for putting relentless pressure on opposing defenses. Meanwhile, the Yankees aren’t exactly known for their pristine glovework. Both of those traits were front and center in Game 2. New York somehow managed to rack up three errors and four total defensive mistakes in just the first five batters of the game, handing the Rays that critical 1-0 lead. Honestly, it’s a minor miracle that the Yankees and their presumptive AL Cy Young winner, Cam Schlittler, escaped that disastrous first inning down only one run, especially with Schlittler having thrown just 19 pitches. It could have been way worse. Katie Sharp from @SharpStats17 confirmed the historical significance of the sloppiness, noting it was the first time the Yankees had committed three errors in one postseason inning.
McMahon and Chisholm Jr. Kick Off the Mess
The defensive implosion began with the very first batter, Yandy Díaz. Tampa’s leadoff hitter drilled a ground ball into the Tropicana Field turf, and Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon completely booted it. It wasn’t even a tough play; it was a chest-high hop that just got by him. That has to be an out, plain and simple. Not exactly the start you want for Schlittler or the team!
Then, Jonathan Aranda followed with a first-pitch ground ball single that snuck past a diving McMahon. That wasn’t a mistake, just a well-placed hit, but it put runners at first and second with nobody out. Three pitches into the game, the pressure was already crushing.
The third batter, Rays slugger Junior Caminero, hit a ground ball to shortstop. Caminero led the majors in ground ball double plays with 26 for the second straight year, but this wasn’t going to be one. George Lombard Jr. ranged far to his left to field it, then flipped it to Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second. Here’s where it got worse: Chisholm Jr. forced an unnecessary throw to first that sailed wide of the bag. That errant throw allowed Díaz to trot home from third, giving Tampa their first run. Caminero advanced to second with one out. You just can’t make that kind of mistake. Chisholm and every infielder in that spot has to know the proper play is to hold the ball and take the out. Instead, a run scored and the Yankees continued to embarrass themselves.
One More Slip, Then a Strikeout
With Caminero at second and one out, another error was charged, this time to Austin Wells. The details from there are thin, but Schlittler then locked in enough to strike out Rays cleanup hitter Liam Hicks.
It was an unbelievable start to an ALDS game, filled with historical sloppiness. Schlittler will have to put this chaotic first inning behind him quickly as the game continues to unfold.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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