Zach Thornton and the Mets (34-48) took on the Phillies (46-36) in their first game since the firing of Carlos Mendoza. The first game of the series went the same way as the first half of the season went: a 2-1 loss, their seventh in a row.
Thornton was rudely greeted by the Phillies, who scored a run after tallying three straight hits on six pitches to take an early lead in the first inning. However, a diving play by Jared Young saved the young left hander, who allowed just the one run in the frame.
The Mets came to bat in the bottom of the first inning, with Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor both in the lineup. After Carson Benge singled off of former Met Zach Wheeler to begin the game, Soto hit a ball that would have cleared the wall by about two feet. Unfortunately for him, Derek Hill made an unbelievable catch, bringing back what would have been a home run. A Bo Bichette strikeout and a Lindor flyout ended the inning, with the Phillies leading 1-0 after one.
After the chaotic first inning, Thornton settled in, working five-straight run-less innings. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Bichette doubled down the line to lead off the inning. After Lindor grounded out to the right side to advance the runner, Young singled Bichette in, trying the game. After four innings, the game was tied 1-1.
Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Thornton was replaced by Huascar Brazobán in the top of the seventh inning after six spectacular innings. Thornton’s final line was 6 IP, 5 H, R, ER, BB, 7 K.
Unfortunately, Brazobán would not have the same success as Thornton, allowing a run and giving the Phillies a 2-1 lead. The inning would not get out of control, however, thanks to another good play by Young, and the score stayed at 2-1 leading into the bottom of the seventh.
Cionel Pérez replaced Brazobán in the top of the eighth inning. The left-hander came out throwing as hard as he has as a Met, touching 99 mph multiple times, while working a scoreless inning.
After the Mets once again failed to score in the bottom of the eighth inning, Pérez stayed on for a second inning of work. The ninth went the same way as the eighth: yet another scoreless inning, keeping the Mets in the game.
Unfortunately, the Mets failed to score for the fifth straight inning, despite a two-out single by Lindor, losing their seventh straight game in the process.
Player of the Game: Zach Thornton
It was a wonderful start for Thornton in his return to the big leagues on Friday. His only other major league appearance on May 20, which saw the young left-hander allow four earned runs in 4 1/3 innings, a far cry from his excellence against a dangerous Phillies lineup. With David Peterson being traded to the Cubs and Kodai Senga being moved to the bullpen, an opportunity has opened for Thornton, and he capitalized. After his strong performance, there is no reason why he would not start the next time around the rotation.
On Deck
The Mets will resume action on Saturday at 4:10 p.m. EST in the middle contest of the three-game set against the Padres. There is not a starter announced for the game at this point. The game will stream live on SNY, with radio on WCBS 880, and the Audacy app.
