MINNEAPOLIS -- In sum,
\n\n \n\n“And obviously the fact that it gave us the lead is huge as well,” Conforto said.\n\nIt was a lead the Mets were able to take thanks in large part to Conforto, who singled and scored in the first inning, then crashed into the left-center-field wall to rob Nelson Cruz of a game-tying extra-base hit in the third. That, too, Conforto credited to hard work, given that he’s spent most of midsummer reacclimating to an unnatural position in center.
\n\nThe four-hit game was the third of Conforto’s career, and his first in over a year, increasing his season slash line to .251/.364/.475 with 17 homers and 17 doubles. Included within have been hot streaks, such as a torrid 10-game stretch to start the season, and cold snaps, most recently a 1-for-24 spell late last month.\n\n“It’s been up and down a little bit -- a little more down lately,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. “But I think you’re going to look up at the end, and I think we all agree with this, you’re going to see a pretty good season out of Michael Conforto. That’s kind of his MO.”\n\nConsider the bottom line crucial for a Mets team counting on Conforto not just this season, but in 2020 and beyond. Both publicly and privately, team officials have maintained that they have no interest in blowing up the Mets’ core prior to the July 31 Trade Deadline. A few deals at the margins make sense as the club tries to find value for its impending free agents, but general manager Brodie Van Wagenen has little intention of trading anyone who can provide value in 2020.\n\nThat includes
\n\n**Starting again**\n\nTuesday’s start was the first in 18 days for