NEW YORK _ Pete Alonso provided the go-ahead blast in the eighth inning, but the Mets won the game in the sixth.
They trailed by a run. Baltimore had the bases loaded against Justin Wilson, who was trying to escape the mess Jared Hughes left him. The Mets were teetering, in danger of a third consecutive loss that would have pushed them further down the standings.
Michael Conforto saved the day, making one of the best catches you'll ever see in one of the biggest spots imaginable. It allowed the Mets (20-24) the opportunity to snag a 7-6 come-from-behind victory over the Orioles at Citi Field.
With the bases loaded and two outs in that sixth inning, Rio Ruiz smoked a ball to left-center field. Looking over his right shoulder to track the hard-hit ball, Conforto sprinted back and, once he reached the warning track, hopped toward the wall to reach the ball.
He caught it.
Conforto held his glove up in the air to signify that he made the play. Wilson raised his arms in excitement. Dominic Smith flashed a big smile.
Everyone knew what that play meant.
That ball would have scored at least two runs, but most likely three.
How big did it end up being?
Well, in the bottom half of the inning, Andres Gimenez homered to tie the game. Two innings later, Alonso sent one over the wall to put the Mets _ who overcame a four-run deficit in this game _ ahead for good.
It is often difficult to say one play won a game. Many moments decide an outcome.
New York Mets first baseman Dominic Smith congratulates right fielder Michael Conforto (30) after Conforto caught a fly ball by Baltimore Orioles' Rio Ruiz to end the top of the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020, in New York.
Let's say this: Without Conforto's catch, the Mets would have lost.
