Even in the era of cellphones, iPads, and driverless cars, a 19th-century pastoral game can still elicit excitement and produce entertainment for even the most casual fan. Last night’s games involving the subjects of Wednesday’s post—my hometown Nationals and my beloved Yankees—showed just that.

First, in a classic battle of bullpens the Yankees were able to hold off the pesky Cleveland Indians. Messrs. Betances, Miller, and Chapman were simply too much for the Tribe.

And in New York City, that once great mecca of baseball, the hometown Mets were able to hold off several charges from their rivals, the Nationals of Washington. Unfortunate for me but to the amusement of many, the Mets beat the Nats 9-7 in a game featuring eight home runs. Yes, eight. Yet in the ninth inning, two of the best hitters in the baseball went double play-strikeout to end it.

This is why we love the game.