The Mets received devastating news prior to Friday night’s bout with the Arizona Diamondbacks as they learned they would likely be without outfielder Juan Lagares for the remainder of the season.
When the game started, however, another Mets outfielder stepped up big time.
Michael Conforto went 4-for-4 at the dish and plated two of the team’s three runs.
“It feels like what I am used to, it feels like I’m in a good place at the plate,” Conforto said. “I felt comfortable up there.”
Conforto had been buried in a deep slump, but showed flashes recently that he may have been due fora breakout. On Saturday, he launched a go-ahead homer against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
The 2017 All-Star has raised his average to .231 after being under the Mendoza Line for awhile. In his last seven starts, he has also gone 10-for-28.
“I think all of us kind of saw this coming,” manager Mickey Callaway said. “You could see him coming out of it.”
Of the four-hits, only one stayed within the infield. Two were very positive, an opposite field hit and a laser for his third hit of the night.
With Juan Lagares and Yoenis Cespedes hurt, and the Mets having dropped 10 of their lost 13 games, New York needs to step up in a big way. Especially the outfielders.
“We got to step up, the outfielders we do have,” Conforto said. “We had depth in the outfield. It’s coming in pretty clutch for us now.”
For Conforto, it’s a step in the right direction, and he thinks so too.
“I feel like I’m in a good place,” he said.
