Michael Conforto shows Giants importance with game-winning homer vs. Marlins
Conforto hits game-winning homer, proving importance to Giants originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Michael Conforto continues to prove how valuable he is to the Giants.
The outfielder launched a two-run, go-ahead blast in extra innings to help secure a 5-2 win over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday at loanDepot park.
Conforto has been sidelined for San Francisco's last three games as he continues to deal with a calf injury sustained in the Giants' loss to the Dodgers on April 12, but told NBC Sports Bay Area's Carlos Ramirez and Rich Aurilia on "Giants Postgame Live" that he felt good running -- or jogging -- around the bases in the 11th inning of Wednesday's game.
"Hopefully this leg starts to feel better and I'll be back running around right field," Conforto said.
"I didn't feel a thing running around the bases today, so that's good news. It's still a little bit tight, we're being careful with it. We're going to see how it feels after the long flight, it's possible I'll be in there for DH or another day off the bench. We're going to see how it feels, get some treatment on it."
Manager Gabe Kapler believes Conforto's heroics are proof of just how valuable the veteran is and the Giants' decision to not rush him back will pay off in the long run.
"It demonstrated how important Conforto is to this team," Kapler told reporters after the game. "On a day that he pinch-hits, he also, off a left-handed pitcher, kind of wins the game with a home run for us. It's just a reminder of how good he is against lefties and righties and how important he is to our lineup.
"It actually kind of confirms that we needed to go slow with him and continue to go slow as necessary, because we're going to need him for such a long period of time."
Conforto and the Giants will return home for an eight-game homestand that features four games against the New York Mets and four against the St. Louis Cardinals.
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San Francisco's roster is riddled with former Mets players, including Conforto, third baseman J.D. Davis, infielder Wilmer Flores, and outfielder Darin Ruf, all of whom have had success with the Giants this season. The series should be a fun reunion for both teams.
"It'll be a cool series, I'm excited to see a lot of my best friends," Conforto said. "I know a lot of those guys over there from the staff, bullpen catchers, all the players -- most of them. It'll be emotional, it'll be fun. We've got a couple other Mets over here, so it'll be an interesting series and they're a good team, so we gotta come to play."
