Aaron Boones toughest decision immediately backfired in Yankees Game 2 debacle

ST.PETERSBURG, Fla.

— Manager Aaron Boone kept the lineup intact from Game 1 — most notably keeping a struggling Ryan McMahon at third base — in part because he wanted “to prioritize the defense,” he said a couple of hours before Monday’s first pitch.It took two pitches from Cam Schlittler for that decision to backfire.McMahon made the first error, a drip that became a flood, in an embarrassing 5-2 loss in Game 2 to the Rays in which the Yankees defense was charged with four errors and probably should have been charged with more.Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.

The problems started on the second pitch Rays leadoff hitter Yandy Díaz saw, chopping a grounder toward McMahon.The normally sure-handed veteran, perhaps misjudging the springs on the Tropicana Field turf or an infield dirt that played fast, missed on his backhand attempt.

The ball skittered past him, McMahon raising his palms wondering what had just happened.Two more errors followed in an inning in which the Rays scored an unearned run.McMahon did not make a second mistake in the field, but he also did not atone at the plate.

He popped out in the third inning, managed a walk (that did not lead to a run) in the fifth and then was subbed out for pinch hitter Paul Goldschmidt in the eighth.In four postseason games, McMahon is 1-for-7 — the lone hit an infield single — with two walks and played despite entering the night 1-for-14 with three walks in his career against Tampa Bay starter Freddy Peralta.Asked about sticking with McMahon, Boone indicated that he considered starting Anthony Volpe at third base, but didn’t want his second career start there to be on the bouncy turf in a playoff game.Boone also insisted José Caballero was “very much in play” — and has been every day of the playoffs, he said, “but I just like his versatility and presence off the bench, too.”Caba...