Gary Sanchez's offense is putting his defense on the back burner

NEW YORK – Gary Sanchez’s defense hasn’t been much of a topic lately.

Any issues with blocking balls tends to be nudged aside while he’s knocking balls over fences, and when the Yankees are winning those games.

“I definitely feel pretty good in the (batter’s) box right now,’’ the slugging catcher said Thursday night through an interpreter. “Better balance.’’

Sanchez continued his blazing August show of power and production with another home run and five RBI in a 7-5 win against the Mets at Citi Field, where the Yanks regained some late summer swagger.

After the disappointment of losing two of three games to the first-place Red Sox last weekend, the Yankees rebounded to sweep all four Subway Series games. And Thursday’s game was a breeze – until Curtis Granderson’s ninth-inning grand slam off Bryan Mitchell.

Dellin Betances was summoned for the final three outs, validating a bounce-back performance by Luis Severino.

After yielding eight earned runs against the Red Sox last Saturday, Severino pitched effectively into the seventh inning and helped move the Yankees (65-55) within four games of the AL East-leading Red Sox – heading into another weekend series at Fenway Park.

And Severino had an early cushion to work with, thanks to Sanchez’s 22nd homer of the year.

Mets lefty starter Steven Matz’s night took a bad turn when Sanchez crushed a one-out, first-inning, three-run smash to left field, his eighth home run since July 27.

“I didn’t think it was going to out,’’ said Sanchez, who didn’t feel he barreled the change-up to maximum effect.

After Sanchez sent one to the warning track in the third, Mets manager Terry Collins wouldn’t let Matz face Sanchez with the bases loaded and one out in the fourth.

In came right-hander Chasen Bradford, instantly greeted by a Sanchez two-run single to left, capping a four-run inning and giving the Yankees a 7-0 lead.

“He’s a guy that’s capable of doing a lot of damage and when he’s locked in at the plate, it’s a lot of fun to watch,’’ said Brett Gardner, whose two-run double started the scoring in the fourth. “For us guys at the top of the order, it’s our job to just get on base for him.’’

Sanchez now has 13 hits in his last 32 at-bats (.406), roughly dating to Aug. 6, when he was benched in Cleveland after manager Joe Girardi openly criticized his defense, saying: “He needs to improve. Bottom line.’’

After Sanchez tied his MLB career best with five RBI, “I just think he was due to offensively get hot,’’ Girardi said.

There was plenty to like about Sanchez’s rocket throwing arm, curtailing opponents’ ability to run against the Yanks, but Sanchez’s defensive inexperience didn’t occupy much thought at this time last year.

Called up for good in August of 2016, Sanchez went on an historic tear, winning both the AL’s Rookie of the Month and Player of the Month awards for his slugging prowess.

“We saw what he was able to do last year,’’ Girardi said of Sanchez’s 11 home runs in 24 games last August, the most in any calendar month by an AL rookie since Mark McGwire’s 15 homers in May of 1987.

And with just 53 games played, Sanchez finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year balloting.

“I know those are pretty big expectations but he’s a really good hitter,’’ Girardi said. “And I just think through his work he’s gotten better and he understands the importance of it.’’

So far this August, Sanchez is batting .333 (17-for-51) with three doubles, six homers and 13 RBI in 15 games.

“Last year is last year,’’ Sanchez said. “But as of right now, I’m definitely feeling better.’’