AL DIVISION SERIES: YANKEES VS RAYS

October 5, 2026

Jonny DeLuca

Tropicana Field

Tampa Bay Rays

Postgame 2 Press Conference

Rays 5 – Yankees 2

THE MODERATOR: We'll get started with Jonny DeLuca. Congrats to you and your teammates.

Q. Jonny, what's it like watching that 5th inning unfold the way you guys, a couple hits, a couple balls in play, a couple of contact plays, chaos on the infield. Feels like you've done that before. How rewarding was it?

JONNY DeLUCA: I feel like we've done that all year. It goes to show we have a ton of competitors and you see the ABs and just creating something. Whether it's putting the ball in play, base running, whatever it is. Kind of creating havoc.

Q. Obviously, the math is simple, being up 2-0 instead of 1-1. As a team, knowing you have three shots to get one more win, what does it do for a clubhouse?

JONNY DeLUCA: Obviously, it feels really good. We're just playing in the moment and, like you said, it's definitely a good feeling to take the first two. But definitely not putting the gas down on these next ones. And, yeah, hopefully we can get it done Wednesday.

Q. Jonny, obviously, the crowd was celebrating with these last two games with you winning. You haven't accomplished what you want to accomplish yet. What's the message in clubhouse right now? Two up, big wins at home that you needed. You can't celebrate yet.

JONNY DeLUCA: Just keep going. It's the endurance. We had 162 games and now feels like we're going into another season. Just keep the endurance, keep the energy, and just stay focused and stay after it.

Q. What has it been like to just watch the starting pitchers and the way that they perform and how you guys have complemented that on the other side, putting up runs for them?

JONNY DeLUCA: They've done it all year, just throwing strikes. All of our starters are nasty. All of our pitching staff is nasty. Being able to play behind that, it's good tempo, good rhythm. They're pounding the zone. Doesn't look fun to face them. They've been doing it all year and it's super fun to watch them.

Q. Jonny, what can you say about a guy like Richie Palacios who, throughout his career, went to a small school, grew up in the Bronx, went through Cleveland. Fought injuries. Coming up in big clutch moments, what's it like playing with him and seeing how he got to this point today?

JONNY DeLUCA: It's super special. Playing with Richie, we got traded over here the same year, and he's a grinder. He's a competitor. And being able to see him do that and compete and win and get the hit in a big situation, I feel like he's done that so many times this year, and everyone is super happy for him.

Q. On Richie's single, you were the second run scored. You were booking it around 3rd. Did you take a look at Brady Williams?

JONNY DeLUCA: I did not, no. I was just running. I felt like I got a good jump. It's two outs. I was going through the stop sign if he was stopping me, and scoring in any circumstance.

Q. Jonny, you guys got to celebrate in the clubhouse at Yankee Stadium. That opportunity, how much sweeter would it be in this situation?

JONNY DeLUCA: I think it's sweet either way. Doesn't matter the clubhouse. Obviously, going over there, having the chance to do that would be pretty special.

THE MODERATOR: Jonny, happy flight to New York. See you there.

JONNY DeLUCA: Appreciate it.