NEW YORK _ So that's what redemption looks like.
Michael Conforto had already grounded into two inning-ending double plays, leaving two men on base each time. In a tie game in the eighth against Zack Britton, Conforto shot a ball off the left-field wall for a go-ahead, two-run double.
It completed the Mets' second consecutive eighth-inning comeback, which this time resulted in a 4-2 win over their rivals in the Subway Series. Conforto, who was moved down to seventh in the lineup because of a recent slump, may use this to propel himself going forward.
The Mets (39-47) trailed by a run heading into the bottom of the eighth. They had squandered opportunities all night.
With Adam Ottavino on the mound, Pete Alonso hit a soft grounder to third and hustled down the line, eventually reaching on an error. The next batter, J.D. Davis, shot a rocket into center field that flew by a diving Aaron Hicks, which allowed Alonso to score from first and tie the game.
Wilson Ramos then hit a sinking liner that dropped in left field. It spelled the end of Ottavino, and the Yankees went to Britton. Then, Conforto, who had hit .158 since June 20, struck to give them a lead that held.
Didi Gregorius reached to begin the top of the ninth and eventually stole second, but Edwin Diaz protected the lead. Diaz now has consecutive solid outings since the Philadelphia meltdown last week.
Every victory is important for the Mets, who must win a lot this week if they even want to think about contending after the All-Star break. There is already talk of them being sellers at the deadline, but the Mets obviously hope for a turnaround.
Yankees starter James Paxton was good, but the Mets also missed a ton of opportunities that, had they converted, could have caused Paxton to unravel. The Mets were 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position with six left on base against Paxton, who allowed eight hits and a run _ the Davis homer _ over six innings.
Zack Wheeler put together a third consecutive successful performance. He went 6 1/3 innings and allowed only two runs, striking out eight. Obviously, his recent run will only increase speculation about whether he could be moved at the deadline. He seems like a trade piece for a team that isn't contending right now.
Down two at the time, the Mets looked to have a good chance in the fifth inning, when Alonso stepped into the batter's box with two on and two out. However, Paxton eventually fooled him with a knuckle curve and Alonso struck out swinging.
The next inning ended when Conforto grounded into his second double play of the game.
The Yankees scored two early runs in the second inning. The second is one the Mets could want back. With a runner on third, Paxton laid down a nice sacrifice bunt. Wilson Ramos fielded it, but didn't look back the runner and only threw to first. With no one covering home, the runner scored.
Jason Vargas is on the mound Wednesday, when the Mets have an opportunity to take three of four in the regular-season series against the Yankees.
The Mets knew Conforto would break out of the rut eventually, but the outfielder picked a good time to do so.
