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Brooklyn-born Richie Palacios puts Yankees in big hole with huge hit for Rays

Richie Palacios, a Brooklyn native who grew up as a diehard Yankees fan, delivered a pivotal moment in the AL Division Series with a clutch two-run single in the fifth inning Monday night. The Tampa Bay Rays’ second baseman drove in the game’s first four runs against New York, securing a 5-2 victory and putting his team up 2-0 in the best-of-five matchup.

Palacios, who had previously doubled off Gerrit Cole in the series opener, came through with two outs and runners on second and third, fouling off four pitches before lining a base hit to center field. His performance capped a strong postseason debut for the 29-year-old, who attended high school in Brooklyn and played college ball at Towson University before joining the majors in 2018.

The Rays, who acquired Palacios in January 2024, now look to complete a sweep in Game 3 at Yankee Stadium, where he’ll return to his hometown for the first time in postseason play. Manager Kevin Cash praised Palacios’ ability to rise to the occasion, highlighting his versatility and recent resurgence after knee injuries limited him earlier in the season.

With a .981 OPS over his last 20 games, Palacios rewarded Tampa Bay’s trust with another game-changing hit, reinforcing his role as a key postseason performer.

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