The swashbuckling squirrel then inspected Fried’s foot hole on the mound before darting toward Ben Rice at first base. Rice, too, was initially statue-esque, but he ultimately jumped away as the squirrel grew near.

The most encouraging development for the Yankees on Friday night transpired on the mound, where Max Fried shook off an unwelcome squirrel visit and snapped out of his slide to resemble the ace who dominated early in the season.