The New York Yankees are one loss away from elimination after a defensive collapse in Game 2 of the American League Division Series, falling 5-2 to the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night at Tropicana Field. The Yankees now trail 0-2 in the best-of-five series.

New York committed four errors while managing only four hits in the game. Both of the Yankees' runs came from Ben Rice solo home runs in the fourth and eighth innings. The Yankees have now recorded just five hits through the first two games of the series, the fewest they have ever produced across the opening two games of a postseason series.

First Inning Disaster

Defensive mistakes immediately put the Yankees in trouble. Ryan McMahon opened the bottom of the first inning by misplaying a ground ball from Yandy Díaz. After Jonathan Aranda reached, Jazz Chisholm Jr. threw the ball away while attempting to start a double play, allowing Díaz to score. Austin Wells was also charged with an error in the ugly frame because of catcher's interference on what would have been a strikeout.

Rice tied the game in the fourth with his first home run, but Tampa Bay quickly regained control. Aranda singled and Junior Caminero doubled before Liam Hicks brought home the go-ahead run on a ground ball.

Errors Continue to Pile Up

Chandler Simpson followed with another grounder that slipped underneath George Lombard Jr.'s glove at shortstop, scoring Caminero and ending Cam Schlittler's night. Schlittler allowed three runs over 5.1 innings while striking out just two.

The Yankees then committed another error later in the inning. Lombard's errant throw on a Johnny DeLuca grounder was dropped by Luis García Jr., extending the inning before Richie Palacios delivered a two-run single to make it 5-1.

Rice hit his second home run in the eighth inning, but New York could not generate another rally. The Yankees' offensive struggles continued as they failed to produce more than four hits for the second consecutive game.

Must-Win Game 3

The Yankees must win Game 3 on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium to extend their season. The first pitch is set for 8 p.m., with the Yankees hoping to become the first team to rally from a 0-2 deficit in a best-of-five series since they accomplished the feat against Cleveland in the 2017 ALDS.

Manager Aaron Boone will send his team out looking to avoid the kind of early-October exit that has become an all-too-familiar part of his tenure. The defensive lapses in Game 2 compounded an already struggling offense, putting the Yankees in a desperate position as they return home.