Zac Thornton Shines Again as Mets Dominate Braves 14-3

Zac Thornton continued to impress in his young career with the Mets, delivering a solid performance against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night. The left-handed pitcher allowed three earned runs over 6.1 innings, contributing to a commanding 14-3 victory for New York.

Now boasting a record of 2-1 and a 2.43 ERA over five starts and 29.2 innings this season, Thornton stands out not just for his results but for his unconventional pitching style. At just 24 years old and recognized as a top prospect within the Mets organization, he doesn’t rely on the typical high-velocity fastball or sharp secondary pitches that many of his contemporaries do. Instead, Thornton primarily utilizes a cutter averaging around 87 mph and a two-seam fastball that ranges between 89-92 mph, supplemented by a variety of pitches that rarely exceed 94 mph.

Interim manager Andy Green acknowledged that Thornton’s approach isn’t the “traditional way” of attacking hitters in today’s game, which often favors high velocity and spin rates. However, Green believes the results speak volumes. “It’s good stuff,” he stated, noting that in a league where pitches are often judged solely by speed, Thornton’s cutter poses significant challenges for right-handed batters. “The more you have to think about pitches coming in on your hands, the more you’re gonna pull off of everything else that works away from you.”

Thornton’s resilience was on full display during the game. After surrendering a two-run home run to Ozzie Albies in the fourth inning, which tied the game, he didn’t falter. Instead, he quickly regained his composure, allowing only a single before inducing a double play to escape the inning unscathed. This ability to bounce back not only kept the Mets in contention but also set the stage for their eventual lead in the sixth inning.

For Thornton, the pressure of pitching in the major leagues doesn’t alter his competitive spirit. “It’s the same thing if I was getting starts at Triple-A or Double-A,” he remarked. “I’m a competitor, I’m gonna go out and beat whoever is on the other side of that field.”

Green, who previously served as the senior vice president of player development, is familiar with Thornton’s mindset. He praised the young pitcher for his ability to stay unfazed by adversity, especially when facing a strong lineup like the Braves. “Sometimes guys barrel you up, and I don’t think he allows it to affect his next pitch,” Green noted. “He continued to pitch to contact, continued to fill up the zone, and even after the two-run homer to tie the game, he got right back out there and kept going.”

With performances like this, Thornton is proving that his unassuming repertoire can yield impressive results, and both he and the Mets are looking forward to what lies ahead.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.