Cam Schlittler Struggles in Game 2 Against Rays

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Confidence isn’t lacking in Cam Schlittler, who, ahead of Game 2, seemed completely assured of his abilities.

He was aware he was about to face a formidable lineup, but he also had the stats on his side, being tied for the third-most strikeouts in the majors this season.

“I feel like if I need to get one,” he remarked on Saturday, “I’m going to be able to do that.”

However, his optimism didn’t quite match the reality of the game, as Tampa Bay’s hitters were consistently on point.

While the Yankees lost to the Rays 5-2 in the division series at Tropicana Field on Monday, Schlittler wasn’t the one at fault—but he also couldn’t step up like he did in Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Red Sox.

“All I can do is assess my outing and realize that it needs to be better than that,” said Schlittler, who felt he needed more support from his defense, which faltered throughout the game.

After a stellar performance against Boston—where he pitched 6 ¹/₃ scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts—Schlittler managed just two strikeouts against the Rays, giving up four runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk over 4 ¹/₃ innings.

The trouble began right away, with the aggressive Rays making solid contact and swinging early in the count during the first inning. Errors by Ryan McMahon and Jazz Chisholm Jr. allowed a run to score, but Schlittler managed to limit the damage.

The turning point came in a four-run fifth inning, where he struggled to find the necessary pitches to escape the danger. A single from Jonathan Aranda, who was played conservatively, and a double from Junior Caminero quickly put runners on second and third with no outs, tying the game at 1-1.

Schlittler needed one of those strikeouts he had been so confident about. Instead, a soft tapper from Liam Hicks gave way to the go-ahead run.

Then Chandler Simpson, behind in the count 1-2, continued battling and eventually nudged a 3-2 sinker for a swinging bunt that moved just a few feet, resulting in another run due to an error by rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr.

“That’s what they do,” Schlittler explained about the Rays. “I let up runs like that in April against them—just choppers in the infield—but that’s what they do. They put pressure on you and find a way to get those runs across.”

Reflecting on his performance, Schlittler mentioned he “just didn’t have my stuff today,” with his velocity higher than during the regular season but not as strong as in his start against the Red Sox.

Unfortunately, he received little help from the bullpen. Brent Headrick came in during the fifth and allowed both inherited runners to score.