This was my favorite game since Aaron Judge went down with the wrist injury. The ’98 World Champs pre-game ceremony was fantastic, and I imagine having all the old heads around was good for them, as they came out with five straight innings of scoring, while also blanking the Blue Jays for those same five frames.

Luis Severino battled thru 5 innings, and it gives you hope that he may be turning a corner back to his early-season form. Andujar continues to lap all other rookies in the second-half with his greatness, Giancarlo continued to hit bangers with a bum hammy, and the Yankees need to continue using the ’98 team’s good vibes to push them until Gary and Judge can add some more energy to the mix.

GOOD

The way Luis Severino popped off the mound after striking Smoak out to end the 1st inning, staring down the ump after some bad calls.

Gardner working an 8 pitch walk in the first at-bat of the game for the Yankees.

Severino bouncing back from 2-out hits in the first couple innings, and getting the third outs with 3 pitches.

Gleyber continuing to climb out of his slump with a hit in his first at-bat, running the bases well, and making himself available for a sac-fly run.

Neil Walker living up to his namesake with a walk in the 2nd.

Austin Romine keeping himself going with a sac-fly to add to the lead.

The Andy Pettitte Memorial pick-off move from Severino, despite being right-handed, in the 3rd.

Bird getting an RBI, despite grounding out. Productive outs make a huge difference.

Andujar maintaining the tag on Billy McKinney for the final out in the 6th.

The Oriole’s outing.

Dellin Betances leaving the lead-off runner stranded.

Bird knocking the seams off the ball, and making up for his earlier blunders in the game, with a home run in the 8th.

The entire rally that followed Bird’s 10th home run of the year.

BAD

Greg Bird getting K’d with Gleyber on third in the 2nd inning. The boo birds came for him. The same Bird who killed the 9th inning rally the other night with his low quality at-bats.

Didi’s 2 strike swing with 2 on, and nobody out, in the 3rd.

Lead-off walk in the 4th from Severino.

Austin Romine suffering a ball off the facemask.

Billy McKinney trying to walk, after being clearly K’d by Severino

Losing the shutout in the 6th inning, another Boone decision gone wrong.

Tommy Kahnle’s outing.

Top of the 6th inning.

Greg Bird blowing another inning ending out by not knowing how to pick the baseball on an amazing throw from Didi in the 7th.

Giancarlo being HBP.

YANKEE

The 1998 World Series reunion ceremony was just another beautiful part of being a Yankees fan. Loved that Jeter showed up via video, at least, but was bummed to see no Joe Girardi or Orlando Hernandez. Best ceremony since Old Timer’s Day!

Joe Torre’s first pitch to Austin Romine, number 28, just saying! Also, Joe Torre in the booth.

2-out, 2-RUN, 22nd DIDI BOMB of the year in the 1st to put the Yankees up 2-0.

Andy Pettitte and David Cone cracking up about “weathered” former ’98 Yankees.

An-2-har putting a couple runs up on the board with ANOTHER double.

Paul O’Neill smacking Tim Raines in the head to “get him back”.

Severino following his lead-off walk with 3 straight strikeouts in the 4th inning.

David Cone finding a way to mention going 2-2 off John Smoltz in the World Series.

Number 32 for Stantman to make it 7-0.

Andujar’s 20th homer, 60th extra base hit, of the year.

Scoring runs in the first five innings of the game.

Hicks taking ball 4 for an RBI, instead of trying to press. Every run counts, as this game showed.

Yankees 3 Stars of the Game

* Miguel Andujar ( 3 H, 2 R, 3 RBI, 20th HR)

** Didi Gregorius (22nd HR with 2 outs in 1st)

*** Luis Severino (5 straight shutout innings to start the game)