You don’t have to be perfect to beat the New York Yankees, but it sure helps.

The Cleveland Guardians’ defense gave away a couple of runs in a 6-3 loss last night in the Bronx.

The Yankees have a 2-0 lead in the American League Championship Series as the scene shifts to Progressive Field.

Brayan Rocchio, recently named a Gold Glove finalist at shortstop, dropped an Aaron Judge popup to score Gleyber Torres in the first inning.

RIVERBOAT GAMBLER

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt made a gutsy decision early in the second inning. He yanked starter Tanner Bibee in favor of fireballing rookie Cade Smith.

Vogt called for an intentional walk to Juan Soto, so Smith would face Aaron Judge with the bases loaded.

The result: Judge hit a sacrifice fly to increase the Yankees’ lead to 3-0. It could have been a lot worse.

Cleveland finally got its offense going in the fifth inning. Josh Naylor’s sacrifice fly and Will Brennan’s fielder’s choice cut the Yankees’ lead to 3-2.

YOU WILL BE JUDGED

However, New York surged ahead when Anthony Rizzo’s double (plus right fielder Will Brennan’s error) scored Anthony Volpe in the sixth inning.

Judge hammered a 414-foot, two-run home run off Hunter Gaddis to increase the Yankees’ lead to 6-2.

Jose Ramirez homered in the ninth for the Guardians, but these first two games clearly belonged to the Bronx Bombers.

BACK TO THE LAND

Cleveland will host Game 3 on Thursday at 5:08 p.m. on TBS. Clarke Schmidt will start for the Yankees. Vogt has not chosen a starter yet.

The NLCS is tied 1-1 between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Game 3 is set for tonight at 8:08 p.m. on Fox Sports 1. Walker Buehler will start for LA against Luis Severino for the Mets.