Michael Conforto Homers Twice As New York Mets Beat The Nationals Again
The New York Mets beat the Washington Nationals 5-3 on Saturday afternoon at Nationals Park. Mets outfielder Michael Conforto hit two home runs to help lead his team to victory.
After a disastrous few weeks, it appears as though the New York Mets are finally starting to turn things around.
For the second straight game, the Mets offense put up a strong showing against the Nationals. Washington took an early lead after Ryan Zimmerman singled home Michael Taylor in the bottom of the first inning.
The Mets were unable to get anything off of Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg during the first four innings. In the top of the fifth inning, they tied the game when Travis d’Arnaud grounded into a fielder’s choice. A few batters later, Michael Conforto came to the plate with two outs and d’Arnaud on second base. Conforto homered to right field, giving the Mets a 3-1 lead.
Conforto wins this round of the Boras Bowl: Two-run blast against Strasburg puts the Mets ahead 3-1.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) April 29, 2017
The Mets did not relinquish the lead for the rest of the game. Mets starter Zack Wheeler pitched relatively well after giving up a run early on. He got into trouble again in the bottom of the fifth inning. After Trea Turner reached on an error by third baseman Jose Reyes and Taylor singled, the Nationals had runners on first and second with no one out.
With Bryce Harper at the plate, the Nationals had a huge opportunity to get back into the game. Fortunately for the Mets however, Harper hit a ground ball right back to Wheeler, and they were able to turn a double play. The next batter was Zimmerman, and he was able to drive in Turner on an infield single. Mets manager Terry Collins decided to take Wheeler out after that. Josh Edgin came in and was able to get the final out of the inning.
In the top of the eighth inning, the Mets added another run when Conforto hit an opposite-field solo home run. This gave them a 4-2 lead. As reported by Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, this was the first multi-home run game of Conforto’s career.
That's the first career multi-homer game for Michael Conforto. The 7 Line Army out in left field is still chanting his name. #Mets
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) April 29, 2017
Zimmerman continued his big day when he homered off of Addison Reed to leadoff the bottom half of the eighth inning. This cut the Mets lead to 4-3. Reed allowed another baserunner, but did not give up any more runs.
Reyes hit a home run in the top of the ninth inning, giving the Mets an insurance run. The Mets then turned to closer Jeurys Familia to finish the job in the bottom of the ninth. Familia retired the side in order, and the Mets won the game 5-3.
Perfect ninth for Familia. Strikes out Taylor to seal #Mets 5-3 win.
— David Lennon (@DPLennon) April 29, 2017
Conforto’s stellar season continued on Saturday with another impressive offensive performance. He is now batting .333 with six home runs and 12 RBIs. The Mets need him to continue to play like this in order for them to really turn things arounds.
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The Mets will go for the series sweep on Sunday afternoon at 1:35. Noah Syndergaard will take the hill for the Mets, while Joe Ross will go for the Nationals.