Yankees Tie Postseason Error Record as Rays Take 2-0 ALDS Lead
The Yankees tied a postseason record with three first-inning errors as the Rays won 5-2 and took a 2-0 lead in the 2026 ALDS.
World Baseball News Editorial Team , 2 min read 
The Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 5-2 on Monday night in St. Petersburg, taking a 2-0 lead in their American League Division Series after New York tied a postseason record with three errors in the first inning.
The collapse produced only one early run, but it set the tone for a night in which the Yankees repeatedly gave Tampa Bay extra opportunities. The Rays are now one victory from advancing to the American League Championship Series.
Three errors put Yankees in an early hole
Ryan McMahon misplayed Yandy Díaz’s leadoff ground ball before Jonathan Aranda singled. Jazz Chisholm Jr. then made an off-balance throw past first base after George Lombard Jr. forced Aranda at second, allowing Díaz to score.
Austin Wells was charged with catcher’s interference later in the inning, giving New York three errors before starter Cam Schlittler escaped further damage. According to MLB and Associated Press reporting, it was the first time a team had committed three first-inning errors in a postseason game since the Oakland Athletics did so in Game 1 of the 1975 ALCS.
Schlittler’s ability to hold the deficit at 1-0 briefly gave the Yankees a path back. Ben Rice tied the game with a solo home run in the fourth inning, but Tampa Bay answered decisively in the fifth.
Palacios gives Rays breathing room
Liam Hicks restored the Rays’ lead with an RBI groundout, and Chandler Simpson brought home another run on a fielder’s choice. Richie Palacios then drove a two-run single into the outfield, stretching Tampa Bay’s advantage to 5-1.
Rice homered again in the eighth for his second solo shot of the game, accounting for both New York runs. The Yankees could not build a larger rally and now return home needing three consecutive wins to keep their season alive.
Rays one win from the ALCS
Tampa Bay’s 2-0 advantage changes the pressure around the series. The Rays can clinch in Game 3 at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, while New York must clean up the defensive mistakes that turned the opening inning into a historic one.
For Tampa Bay, the win was less about one overwhelming offensive performance than sustained pressure. The Rays punished New York’s mistakes, added four runs in the fifth and left St. Petersburg with complete control of the best-of-five series.
