It’s been a long, beautiful, day of Yankees baseball. They gained 1.5 games in their amazing race to first place, and all while handing out beat downs to the Orioles in funny looking jerseys. I like the “Player’s Weekend” idea, and even the execution, so I can stomach a few games with names on the backs of Yankee jerseys.

There were some ugly parts, like Greg Bird standing in the batter’s box, but this double-header is another hope builder. This long season has shown the Yankees can win, but can they win enough to catch the Red Sox? It’d be shame to have such a great record, and have it all on the line in a Wild Card game, so hopefully the Yankees make some magic, as they see Gary, Didi, Chapman, and hopefully Judge make returns.

GOOD

Sonny Gray’s K to kick-off the game, which led to a 1-2-3 inning.

Gray getting out of a RISP jam in the 2nd.

Gleyber’s comfort level at the plate rising with each at-bat.

Starting the game with the lead-off runner getting on base the first three innings.

Didi’s emoji sign in the dugout.

Gardy beating out an inning-ending DP, and Stanton coming up with an RBI single off the LF wall next AB.

Gleyber Torres gunning down Craig Gentry with a sweet play at SS in the 4th, and getting the next out on an even stronger throw to 1B.

“Pickles” leaving two RISP stranded to get out of the 4th.

Gleyber gunning O’s down again in the 6th.

Holder keeping things at 4-0.

The hit-and-run connection between Du and Gleyb. Feels like either one could be hitting or running, and it’d never be a bad call.

Romine putting his 9th homer into the air. One away from double-digits.

Betances ending the game, and letting us all breathe again.

BAD

Hicksie proving he’s human, and getting picked off for the first out of the game. Let the air right out of the rally.

THE DREADED GIDP x 2. (2nd, Stanton & 8th, Bird)

Gray giving up his first hit into the Bermuda Triangle.

The failed double steal attempt, although Gleyber almost shook the tag mid-slide.

Neil Walker’s first step in RF.

The idea of having Andujar running on back-to-back pitches. Another balloon popper of an out.

Greg Bird taking LOUIS’ at-bats.

Yankees allowing Cashner to mow them down thru 7. This offense was backwards, as they seemed to get worse against Cashner the more they seen him.

Tommy Kahnle giving up the shutout, and Boone waiting for him to give up a third hit, despite having Betances ready to go the entire time.

YANKEE

Brett Gardner with the 1-pitch ground-rule double to start the game, and give himself an 8-game hitting streak. Then Stanton walking, and Hicksie bringing in the first run of the game.

Adding 2 runs to Sonny’s lead with some great baserunning, and solid hitting, from the bottom of the order. Gleyber’s slide past Cashner’s glove was all agility.

Didi enjoying himself on the DL.

Sonny Gray coming from “OUTTA NOWHERE” with his clutch start.

Miguel Andujar multi-hitting his way to a .300 batting average.

Yankees 3 Stars of the Game

* Austin Romine (3 H, 3 R, 9th HR, called great game)

** Sonny Gray (6.1 IP, 7 K, 0 ER)

*** Gleyber (2 H, 1 BB, 1 RBI, TOP NOTCH D)