Zach Thornton after MLB debut: I feel as though I belong' in majors with Mets | amNewYork

Zach Thornton made his major-league debut for the New York Mets against the Washington Nationals and allowed a three-run home run in the first inning. He surrendered another run in the second inning but then retired nine of the final 10 batters he faced, including eight straight. He emphasized getting into the strike zone and showed a five-pitch arsenal led by a cutter averaging 86 mph and topping out at 90 mph. His cutter produced most of his swings-and-misses, while a four-seamer, sinker, and high-70s sweeper added additional misses. He finished with 4.1 innings, four runs, four hits, three strikeouts, and two walks. Manager Carlos Mendoza praised his competitiveness despite a rising pitch count. Thornton’s father, Paul, attended after recent spine tumor surgery and is recovering.

"The 24-year-old southpaw gave up a three-run home run to CJ Abrams in the first inning of Wednesday night's 8-4 loss, gave up one more in the next frame, but then rebounded to set down nine of the final 10 batters he faced, including eight straight. I just know that I need to get in the zone, Thornton said. I feel as though I belong here. My stuff's going to play. So if I can just get in the zone, I'll be alright."

"Thornton displayed a five-pitch arsenal, relying most heavily on a cutter that averaged 86 mph but topped out at 90. Four of the six swings-and-misses he generated came on that pitch. A four-seamer and a sinker also have the ability to sit comfortably in the low 90s, while a high-70s sweeper generated his other two swings-and-misses. His final line: 4.1 innings pitched, four runs, four hits, three strikeouts, and two walks."

"I thought he competed, manager Carlos Mendoza said. They had some good takes on some pitches that were strike-to-ball, but they ran his pitch count up. The one thing I liked, even after he got punched there in the first inning, he didn't back down. He kept going after it. Pitch count went up, but he competed."

"Making Thornton's MLB all the more special, regardless of the box score, was the presence of his father, Paul, who made the trip down to D.C. Just seven weeks ago, he underwent surgery to remove a tumor from his spine that resulted in temporary lower-body paralysis. He has not walked since, but is on the road to recovery. Super special, Thornton said. Just seeing him sittin"

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