Zach Thornton nailed his latest audition.
The Mets pitching prospect, who was called up following the David Peterson trade this week, impressed in his second major league start on Friday as he pitched six clean innings against the Phillies.
The 24-year-old finished his night with seven strikeouts, five hits allowed and just one earned run conceded in the 2-1 loss as he recovered from a wayward first inning to put together a productive start. And newly minted interim manager Andy Green was pleased with the way the lefty “attacked” his Philly opponents.
“I think that’s what you’re looking for in a young guy,” Green said. “And I think we’ve known that that was inside of him, and who he is, and who he’s shown himself to be at every level.”
Thornton allowed a hard leadoff double from Trea Turner off the left field wall, and then gave up singles to Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper (with the latter hit sending Turner home).
The pitcher also received a mound visit in the first inning, and enjoyed some rode his luck with a run-saving diving catch from Jared Young at first base.
But Thornton, but ultimately found his footing and justified his latest call-up from Triple-A Syracuse amid an uneven time for the Mets’ pitching staff.
The Mets are scrambling for answers on the mound with Clay Holmes (fractured right fibula) injured and Kodai Senga now in the bullpen following a brutal stretch of starts.
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Peterson had also been struggling before he was sent to the Cubs this week, while Christian Scott is set to return from a right hip impingement on Saturday.
Thornton showed he could assuage some of the Mets’ pitching concerns as he improved on his four-run, 4 ¹/₃-inning MLB debut against Washington on May 20.
With Scott set to be activated to the roster, Green was noncommittal on whether Thornton would remain in the rotation going forward.
The Minnesota native, though, is determined to make that happen.
“I want to pitch in the big leagues for a long time,” Thornton said. “And I think I can do that.”
