Heroes, zeros and the inside pitch from the Yankees’ 5-2 loss to the Rays in Game 2 of the ALDS in St. Petersburg, Fla:  

Hero

Old-school baseball. Baseball’s best team at putting the ball in play struck out just four times total in a game started by Cam Schlittler, putting constant pressure on a Yankees defense that wilted.

Rays second baseman Richie Palacios #1 hits a two-run RBI, in the fifth inning. Charles Wenzelberg for New York Post

Zero

The entire Yankees defense. Misplays, four of which were scored as errors, from (in order) Ryan McMahon, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Austin Wells, Spencer Jones, George Lombard Jr., Lombard again and Luis García Jr. led to three unearned runs and one of the ugliest playoff performances you will see.

Unsung Hero

Brooklyn’s Richie Palacios knocked a two-run single in the fifth inning that created far too much distance for a Yankees lineup that has not solved Rays pitching (apart from Ben Rice).

Key Stat

4: Errors by the Yankees — and they probably should have been charged with five — which tied with the second most in franchise postseason history

Quote

“It’s going to be a rough ride back, but you’ve got to find out what you’re made of. It’s gut-check time.”

— Aaron Boone