This was an absolute must-win for Yankees — even in July

It was July 6, Game 90, still a week short of the All-Star Game. 

So not really the scenario you associate with a must-win contest beyond some social-media scream sites. 

But the Yankees had lost six in a row, have been the worst team in the majors for three-plus weeks and were on the verge of making it all hurt more by being Subway swept. And then there was this: The Yankees were starting their ace, Max Fried, against the cast of Who Wants to be a Mets Pitcher … and built a 5-0 lead. 

At this moment, Fried must be “Win Day” for the Yankees, especially if the opponent is using a group of pitchers more likely to be on a bus to Jupiter, Fla., in March than in a Subway Series in July.