Conforto’s Pinch Hit Home Run Propels Mets To 5-3 Victory Over Nationals

After a terrific ceremony to honor Jerry Koosman, the New York Mets looked to end their four-game losing streak. The Metropolitans had a prime opportunity to do so, as they faced off against the lowly Washington Nationals and the career-struggling starter  Sean Nolin. Meanwhile, the Mets had, who has emerged as the team’s ace with Jacob deGrom hurt, Marcus Stroman on the mound. Well, Stroman pitched like an ace, and it took until the seventh inning, but the Mets finally got offense they needed. Thanks in large part to a Michael Conforto pinch-hit, three-run home run the Mets emerged victorious 5-3.

Stroman found himself in immediate trouble as Lane Thomas lined a 109.1 MPH double over the out-stretched glove of Francisco Lindor. The very next batter the gold glover, Stroman, threw a bullet to the third baseman to get Thomas who was trying to advance after a bunt. Unfortunately, Juan Soto singled and Josh Bell got on after Stroman redirected a likely double play ball to third base, and the bases were loaded with one out. Luckily, Stroman got the call on a back-door slider and then got Carter Kieboom to fly out to a sprinting Brandon Nimmo to strand the bases loaded.

The Nationals would break through in the second. After a leadoff walk, the pitcher bunted the man on base to second. With two outs, the red-hot Thomas got his second double in as many innings to drive in the first run of the game. Alcides Escobar then drove in the second National run of the inning to make it 2-0, Washington, after an inning and a half of baseball.

 

Kevin Pillar turned on a high changeup and drove it over the left field wall for the Mets’ first run and hit in the game. The 396-foot shot is Pillar’s 11th of the season. The Mets would then get a runner in scoring position the next half inning. This courtesy of a stolen base by Lindor. However, Javier Baez struck out to end the inning.

Pillar made sure the center field apple sporting a number 36 logo in honor of Koosman was well represented. He smashed his second home run of the night to tie the game at two in the fifth. Patrick Mazeika then added his first career double with one out in the inning. However, Stroman and Jonathan Villar failed to get Mazeika home. Worth noting, the Villar hard hit ball to shortstop had an xBA of .430, but Escobar made a word class play to get Villar at first and keep the game tied.

Like the fourth inning, Lindor got to second base once again courtesy of a stolen base. However, Baez was unable to bring him home once again. To begin the seventh inning, Trevor May (1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 SO) replaced Stroman. Overall, Stroman was once again stellar, going six innings allowing two earned on 91 pitches while striking out five.

Meanwhile, May ran into some trouble. After a leadoff hit and a two-out single, the Nationals had first and third with two outs. To make the situation even worse, the best hitter in baseball, Soto, was due to the plate. Manager Luis Rojas made the decision to have May pitch to him. His decision turned out not to matter, as May spiked one into the dirt which brought Riley Adams home from third. In the end, May got Soto to chase a slider to end the inning. Unfortunately, the damage was done as the Mets now trailed by one going to the bottom of the seventh.

The Mets had a chance to get the run right back in the bottom half. Jeff McNeil led off with a single through the shift and Pillar got hit by a slider that did not break. Conforto, as a pinch-hitter, then drilled a three-run home run off the first pitch from the newly entered Mason Thompson with one out. It was his first pinch hit hime run of his career.

Seth Lugo (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 SO) entered in the eight, and after a lead off single he induced a “3-6-3,” double play. This was a solid bounce-back inning from Lugo, who did not record an out in his previous outing. Edwin Diaz (1.0 IP, 1 SO) came on in the ninth for the second night in a row to close the game out. He did so successfully cementing the victory for New York.

It was a much needed come from behind victory for the Mets. At a time where the team’s playoff chances seem to get slimmer and slimmer each night, every game is a must win. Tonight, it may have not been pretty for a while, but they got the job done. Stroman was terrific through six, Pillar blasted two vital home runs, and Conforto added a pinch-hit, game-winning shot. The Mets now trail the Atlanta Braves by 7.5 games for the division and the Cincinnati Reds by 8.0 games for the wild card.

The Mets and Nationals will end their three-game series tomorrow afternoon at 1:10 PM ET. Fortunately, for the Mets, the team will once again see the reeling Nationals for another series, a five-game set, starting September 3rd. The expected pitching matchup for the matchup tomorrow: Tylor Megill (4.07 ERA) versus Erick Fedde (4.91 ERA).