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Rays get the best of Schlittler, who battles to no avail

The Yankees' Cy Young frontrunner Cam Schlittler delivered a strong performance in Game 2 of the ALDS, but defensive miscues and Tampa Bay’s aggressive hitting overwhelmed him. Schlittler allowed six hits and four runs—only two earned—while striking out a season-low two batters, as the Rays capitalized on four Yankees errors, including three in the first inning alone.

Schlittler’s velocity and command were sharp, but Tampa Bay’s high-contact approach and defensive lapses turned his solid outing into a 5-2 loss at Tropicana Field. The Rays’ relentless pressure, including a four-run fifth inning sparked by Schlittler’s early location mistakes, sealed the win despite the pitcher’s best efforts.

Schlittler acknowledged the Rays’ ability to exploit defensive gaps, a challenge he faced even in the regular season, as Tampa Bay’s offensive efficiency left him with little room for error.

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