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Toronto Star
· collected 2026-10-06 · by Zak Gilbert The Associated Press
Richie Palacios, a Brooklyn native and former Yankees fan, delivered a crucial two-run single that helped the Tampa Bay Rays secure a 5-2 victory over the Yankees in Game 2 of their AL Division Series on Monday night. The win gave the Rays a 2-0 series lead as Palacios, hitting with runners in scoring position against reliever Brent Headrick, capitalized by fouling off several pitches before driving a base hit to center field. Despite his childhood allegiance, Palacios celebrated the pivotal moment, noting that clutch hits transcend rivalries for him.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-06,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In Game 2 of the ALDS, the Yankees faced a daunting challenge against the Rays in St. Petersburg, Florida, where they lost 5-2, falling behind 2-0 in the series. Despite Cam Schlittler's reputation for performing well on the road with a career ERA of just 1.16, the Yankees' defense crumbled early, committing four errors and making several misplays in the first inning alone. This poor defensive play led to an unearned run and set the tone for a disastrous performance that saw them do as many things wrong as they did right. The Rays capitalized on these mistakes with a key two-run single by Richie Palacios in the fifth inning, widening their lead. With this loss, the Yankees now face elimination if they don't win Game 3 back in New York.
Written for “Yankees Lose ALDS Game 2” on 2026-10-06,
grounded in this article and the 13 other(s) covering the same event.
On Monday night, he sent New York home in a huge playoff hole.
asserted
he → send → hole
Palacios laced a two-run single to cap a four-run fifth inning that propelled the Tampa Bay Rays to a 5-2 victory and a 2-0 lead over the sloppy Yankees in their best-of-five AL Division Series.
asserted
that → lace → Series
“When I’m getting clutch hits, it doesn’t really matter who I’m playing against,” Palacios said.
asserted
Palacios → get → who
“But it’s very special to do this in a postseason against a team I grew up watching.
asserted
I → ’ → team
The 29-year-old second baseman, who also doubled off Gerrit Cole in the series opener, came to bat with two outs in the fifth against left-handed reliever Brent Headrick.
asserted
who → double → Headrick
With his parents in the stands and runners on second and third, Palacios got a green light from manager Kevin Cash on a 3-0 count and fouled off a 90 mph fastball.
asserted
Palacios → get → fastball
The left-handed hitter then fouled off three more pitches before lining a base hit to center field that gave Tampa Bay a 5-1 cushion.
asserted
that → foul → cushion
“Probably the biggest hit in the game for us,” Cash said.
asserted
Cash → say → us
A fired-up Palacios gestured toward his teammates in the dugout as he celebrated at first base.
asserted
he → fire → base
“If I got a green light with a 3-0,” Palacios said, “that means Cashy probably wants me swinging if it’s a pitch over the plate.
asserted
it → get → plate
Game 3 is Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium, where the Rays will try for a series sweep.
asserted
Rays → try → sweep
It will be a homecoming of sorts for Palacios, who is playing in his first postseason.
asserted
who → play → postseason
Palacios attended The Berkeley Carroll School in the New York City borough of Brooklyn and then Towson University in Maryland before getting selected by Cleveland in the third round of the 2018 amateur draft.
asserted
Palacios → attend → draft
He was acquired by the St. Louis Cardinals for cash in June 2023 and then traded to Tampa Bay for reliever Andrew Kittredge in January 2024.
asserted
He → acquire → January
The 5-foot-8 Palacios batted .235 with 10 home runs, 57 RBIs and a .704 OPS in 124 games this season.
asserted
Palacios → bat → games
He also stole 17 bases, and rewarded the AL East champion Rays for their confidence in him by hitting .283 with five homers, 18 RBIs, six steals and a .981 OPS over 20 games in September.
asserted
He → steal → September
“Look, we’re seeing a healthy player.
asserted
we → look → player
We’ve seen Richie in the past when, before his knee injuries, where he could really help us on both sides of the ball.
uncertain
he → see → ball
Really stayed in the infield throughout the course of this season,” Cash said.
asserted
Cash → stay → season
“But, I mean, he seems as much as anybody in our lineup to really rise to the occasion when we need him to come through.
asserted
him → mean → occasion
He’s come through so many times for us.”
asserted
He → come → us
___
AP Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick in New York contributed to this report.
asserted
Fitzpatrick → contribute → report
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