Wade's walk sets tone before Conforto's blast delivers thump

MINNEAPOLIS -- Returning to Minnesota, where he was a young prospect that played in 42 games over two seasons for the Twins in 2019 and ‘20, LaMonte Wade Jr. worked a walk in an eight-pitch at-bat to lead off Monday night’s game.

Wade set the tone for the first game of San Francisco’s road trip with that base on balls.

Mike Yastrzemski followed with another walk, J.D. Davis hit an RBI double and then Michael Conforto capped a big first inning with a three-run homer in a 4-1 win for the Giants.

“I think LaMonte’s at-bat to lead off the game was really the tone-setter for the day and arguably the most important at-bat that we had, maybe the one that won the game for us,” said San Francisco manager Gabe Kapler.

Wade, who later left the game with a jammed thumb, has been pivotal for the Giants with his on-base skills.

Conforto is becoming the key hitter in the middle of the lineup that San Francisco believed in when it signed him to a two-year, $36 million contract in January, coincidentally after the signing of Carlos Correa -- who was in the opposing dugout on Monday -- fell through.

The early four-run lead stood up as the Giants won for the sixth time in seven games.

“The guys before me set the table with great at-bats, not chasing up there, kind of forcing [Twins starter Bailey Ober] back down into the zone, and I think that really set it up for my at-bat going up there,” Conforto said. “We weren’t chasing up where he likes to throw the fastball. He had to come down and just put a good swing on it. Just a good approach by the team.”

In a true bullpen game, John Brebbia pitched a perfect inning as the opener and Sean Manaea (2-2) pitched 3 2/3 innings for the win out of the bullpen. Tristan Beck followed with 2 2/3 innings with one run allowed.

“I think it was one of Manaea’s best outings of the year, perhaps the best outing of the year for Sean,” Kapler said. “Tristan Beck, I think, was equally good.”

The relief crew, including Tyler Rogers and Scott Alexander, made the early lead stand.

Wade, who was acquired from Minnesota before the 2021 season for right-hander Shaun Anderson, ranks fourth in MLB with a .421 on-base percentage and is tied for fourth in walks (33).

Conforto had a slower start to the season, but he is starting to look like the hitter for the Mets who was an All-Star and hit at least 27 homers in three straight seasons from 2017-19.

The outfielder was hitting .168 on May 9. In the 11 games since, he’s hit .325 with five homers and 12 RBIs.

“Similar to the guy that we saw in some of his best years,” Kapler said. “Very disciplined at the plate, taking good, aggressive swings and looking for a pitch to drive to the opposite field like he did tonight.”

Conforto got a fastball from Ober in the zone and drove it into the bullpens in right-center field. His recent stretch could be attributed to the work he’s been putting in.

“I’m trying to let it travel, give myself a little bit more time, be a little bit more effective driving the ball line to line,” Conforto said. “So, today was a good sign being able to go to center. Just trying to keep it simple and not get too big. Sometimes, I swing too hard. It’s not a good result. It was a good day today.”

Conforto missed all of last season after going unsigned as a free agent early and then undergoing right shoulder surgery in April.

“I’d be naïve to think I could just jump right back in and not have to take any lumps,” Conforto said. “So, I’ve been trying to give myself a little bit of grace, but it’s hard. You want to go out there and just set the world on fire, but it’s a tough game. So, you just always got to be humble and keep working hard.”