Michael Conforto's three-run shot lifts Mets over Nationals
Michael Conforto of the Mets celebrates his seventh-inning pinch-hit three-run home run against the Nationals at Citi Field on Saturday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
In the version of the next month-plus in which the Mets save their season, catch Atlanta and win the division for the seventh time ever, remember Michael Conforto’s contribution Saturday as a potential turning point: a go-ahead three-run homer in the seventh inning that gave them a 5-3 win over the Nationals.
And in the version in which the Mets do none of that, remember it anyway for what it was: a big, exciting moment during what might be the waning weeks of Conforto’s Mets career.
A free agent after the season, he was not in a particularly wistful, reminiscing mood after the Mets’ first win in five games and third in 15. He did, however, admit to the reality that he might be near the end.
"To be honest with you, the thought has crossed my mind," he said. "But it’s not something I’m focused on. It’s not something I’m putting energy to. I’m just really focused on grinding it out with my teammates. We’re all in this together. And to be honest with you, it hasn’t been fun the last couple weeks."
It was more fun Saturday. With the Mets (62-67) down by a run, two men on base and one out in the seventh, Conforto stepped to the plate as a pinch hitter against newly inserted reliever Mason Thompson. He smacked the first pitch, a sinker on the outer half of the plate, over the left-centerfield wall.
"It’s no secret, that’s where I go when I’m feeling the best," he said. "I’ve been working to try to do that all year. Sometimes it takes a little longer."
Manager Luis Rojas said: "As soon as he hit it off the bat, I knew it was a homer. That’s Michael’s swing right there."
It was the first pinch-hit homer of Conforto’s career and his 127th overall. Only six Mets have hit more, and in recent months, he has passed Ed Kranepool, Edgardo Alfonzo, Kevin McReynolds, Todd Hundley and Lucas Duda. Up next, at a distant 149, is Carlos Beltran.
Such a list underscores Conforto’s place among the better Mets in their history — not the top tier, sure, but maybe in the second or third. Of homegrown hitters this century, he probably is right behind David Wright and Jose Reyes. And he has sneaked into the franchise’s top 30 in Wins Above Replacement, as calculated by Baseball Reference, at 15.2.
"Everyone in this clubhouse," Marcus Stroman said, "is a huge Michael Conforto fan."
In an all-Long Island pitching matchup — and a rematch of their Aug. 12 game — Medford’s Stroman and Seaford’s Sean Nolin were about equals. Stroman gave up two runs in six innings, Nolin two in 5 1⁄3 .
All of Stroman’s trouble came early. With two outs in the second, Lane Thomas had an RBI double and Alcides Escobar added an RBI single. Washington had five hits in the opening two innings but just another pair in the next four frames.
Stroman (2.85 ERA) finished the night with 1,000 2⁄3 innings in his career. "That was one of the biggest milestones that I’ve wanted to achieve," he said. "Hopefully on my way to 2,000 innings."
The only Mets batter to manage much against Nolin was Kevin Pillar, who hit two home runs. Nolin struck out six and walked none in what was by far the best of the 31-year-old rookie’s three starts since joining the Nationals (55-73). He entered with a 9.00 ERA from his first two.
"I didn’t really know I was playing till I got here at about 4:30 [p.m.] today," said Pillar, who is third on the team with 12 homers. "Sometimes that’s a blessing. You don’t overthink."
On Sunday the Mets will try to nab their first consecutive wins and first series win since Aug. 12, when they beat, yes, this rebuilding Nationals team. They are 7 1⁄2 games behind NL East-leading Atlanta.
"Hopefully we can make this," Conforto said, "the start of something special."
