Brilliant Rays bats, brutal Yankees defense leave Bombers in 2-0 hole

Which makes tonight's offensive performance from the Rays all that more impressive. Facing the presumptive AL Cy Young Award winner, Tampa's hitters were in control all night. They made Cam Schlittler sweat, they made him work, and in the end, they made him bleed. The end result was a 5-1 Rays victory, a commanding 2-0 series lead, and another Yankees season on life support.

Schlittler was coming off a stellar performance in a season consisting almost exclusively of stellar performances. He diced up the Red Sox in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series, leaning on his curveball in a surprise manuever that left Boston gasping for air. Schlitter's strategy wasn't quite as curve heavy this time around, using it 18 percent of the time compared to 27 percent versus Boston, electing to go after Tampa with his trademark high-heat, three-fastball approach.

The Rays were ready. Tampa's hitters have the flattest swings of any team in the league, which in theory should make them a tough matchup for Schlittler, with their swing paths putting the bat right on plane to make contact with Schlittler's fastballs. In practice, Schlittler proved unable to overpower them.