The Tampa Bay Rays have extended their winning streak to two games against the storied New York Yankees in the American League Division Series (ALDS, best-of-five).

Tampa Bay defeated the Yankees 5-2 in Game 2 of the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) ALDS held at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 6 (KST).

With just one more win, Tampa Bay will advance to the American League Championship Series (ALCS, best-of-seven) for the first time in six years since 2020.

In the bottom of the first inning, Tampa Bay leadoff hitter Yandy Díaz reached base on an opposing fielding error, and Jonathan Aranda followed with a single to left field, creating a no-out, runners-on-first-and-second opportunity.

Tampa Bay then scored the game's first run due to a throwing error by Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Tampa Bay allowed a solo home run to Ben Rice to right field in the top of the fourth inning, tying the game at 1-1, but secured the victory by erupting for four runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Following back-to-back singles by Aranda and Junior Caminero to set up a no-out, runners-on-second-and-third situation, the third base runner scored on an infield grounder by Liam Hicks to reclaim the lead.

With one out and a runner on third, Yankees defenders failed to swiftly handle a slow infield grounder by Chandler Simpson, allowing the runner from third to score.

While the official ruling was a fielder's choice, the Yankees' repeated defensive miscues proved costly.

The Yankees' defensive troubles persisted.

Leading 3-1 with two outs and a runner on second, Tampa Bay capitalized on another Yankees throwing error to maintain pressure with runners on second and third.

Richie Palacios then delivered a clean, two-run single to center field, stretching the lead to 5-1.

Having widened the gap to four runs, Tampa Bay brought in its high-leverage relief pitchers to close out the game.

Although they allowed another solo home run to Rice to right field in the eighth inning, they gave up no further runs.

Aranda and Caminero both put on strong performances with two hits apiece.

The Yankees self-destructed by committing four errors.

Unrecorded mental mistakes were also frequent.

(Photo: Yonhap News)