“Embarrassment of Epic Proportion,” Michael Kay Unloads on Yankees After ALDS Game 2 Loss

The New York Yankees committed 4 errors in Game 2 and had just 4 hits with 2 coming off the bat of Ben Rice.

“Embarrassment of Epic Proportion,” Michael Kay Unloads on Yankees After ALDS Game 2 Loss

Michael Kay (Image via Bleacher Report)

On Monday, the New York Yankees had a rough outing against the Tampa Bay Rays and suffered a 5-2 loss while committing 4 defensive errors. Later on, ESPN broadcaster Michael Kay unloaded on the team and described it as an “embarrassment of epic proportion.”

The Yankees came into this game on the back of a 1-0 loss in Game 1. A strong showing from Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen limited the Bronx Bombers to just 1 hit.

For Game 2, the Yankees had Cam Schlittler on the mound. The 25-year-old had dominated the Boston Red Sox in his previous start and was hoping for a similar performance to help his side level the series.

The team, however, got off to a poor start. In the first inning, the New York-based side committed 3 fielding errors, with Ryan McMahon, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and Austin Wells all having a tough first inning.

Ben Rice, who had been their offensive hero in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series, leveled the game with a solo home run in the 4th inning. It was in the 5th inning when the Rays exploded to life.

The hosts put up 4 runs in this inning, with the Yankees having another error. George Lombard Jr. was the culprit this time as he threw the ball wide of the target.

Rice homered again for the Yankees in the 8th inning. Despite his brilliance, Aaron Boone‘s side lost 5-2 and fell 0-2 down in the best-of-five division series.

While discussing the game on The Michael Kay Show, the 65-year-old broadcaster slammed the team for their performance in this game. He claimed that the only positive from that defeat was Rice’s 2 home runs.

I don’t believe what I just saw. … I cannot make anything positive out of what happened yesterday other than Ben Rice. That’s it. An embarrassment of epic proportion.

Michael Kay said on The Michael Kay Show

They now find themselves in a huge hole. Only 10 times out of 93 has a team come back from a 0-2 deficit in the best-of-five series.

The Yankees, however, are one of them. In fact, they are also the last team to do so.

In 2017, the Yankees lost Games 1 and 2 against the Cleveland Guardians (Indians back then) and fell 0-2 down. They then won Games 3, 4, and 5 and ended up eliminating the AL Central side from the postseason.

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Aaron Boone claims it’s all hands on deck time for Yankees in Game 3

The New York Yankees did not have a great showing in Game 2 and ended up losing 5-2. The pressure is now firmly on the shoulders of manager Aaron Boone. The skipper claims it is now all hands on deck time for his team in Game 3.

Yankees' Aaron Boone
Aaron Boone (Image via Imago)

The 3 errors in the first inning put them in trouble early on. Despite the performance from Cam Schlitter on the mound, the defensive mistakes eventually cost them the game.

In the press conference, Boone did call out his team and mentioned that they cannot play like this and expect to win games.

We can’t play like that and expect to win, so we’ve got to come out Wednesday night. Everything’s on the line, it’s obviously all hands on deck and we’ve got to try and get one and then go from there.

Aaron Boone said as per YES Network

For Game 3, the Yankees will turn their attention towards Max Fried and hope the offense is able to put up some more runs. A loss on Wednesday would see them get swept and make it back-to-back years with ALDS elimination. Their backs are firmly against the wall.

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