Reds beat Yankees in a classic national anthem standoff on July 4th

Nothing could match Graham Ashcraft’s Fourth of July patriotism.

On the Fourth of July at Yankee Stadium, nothing was going to stop the game before the game.

After the national anthem was played Thursday afternoon, Yankees pitchers Cody Poteet and Ian Hamilton kept their place in front of one dugout, while Cincinnati Reds pitchers Cody Spiers and Graham Ashcraft stood in front of the other.

A literal standoff ensued, like a patriotic game of chicken.

Spiers peeled off after a few moments, but Ashcraft and the two Yankees stood their ground as Cincinnati’s outfielders jogged into place and as Jonathan India approached the mound.

And then, Yankees manager Aaron Boone told his guys to knock it off. Ashcraft won, and the Reds celebrated like they had hit a walk-off home run.

The Reds also went on to win the actual game, 8-4. And afterwards, folks online had some spicy takes about Boone and the Yankees, who have now lost three straight and are 2-8 in their last 10 games.

The Baltimore Orioles are 2.5 games ahead of New York in the AL East standings.