Zac Thornton and the Mets (51-66) took on the Pirates (57-61) in the first game of a three-game set at PNC park. The Mets came in at 3-0 since the trade deadline following a sweep of the Guardians, and they kept the good times rolling. Thanks to more hitting and a stellar outing from the left-hander, the Mets won their fourth straight game, 6-2.

A.J. Ewing led things off, looking to keep the Mets offense rolling. The youngster did just that, blooping a double to the vast left field in Pittsburgh. After a Francisco Lindor strikeout, Bo Bichette topped a ball to third base that he beat out without a throw to make it first and third with one out. The red-hot Carson Benge would capitalize with a laser beam single to center field, driving in Ewing for the first run of the game. Jared Young followed Benge with a flyout, advancing Bichette to third, before Benge stole second to make it second and third with two outs. However, Marcus Semien did not capitalize, grounding out to end the inning with the Mets leading 1-0.

Thornton took the mound with a lead for bottom of the first inning, looking to notch a scoreless frame. The young left-hander would do just that, throwing just eight pitches in a one-two-three inning.

With a 2-1 count with no out in the top of the third inning, the game entered a rain delay. However, once play resumed, the Mets began to bash. Ewing singled, followed by a Lindor walk to make it first and second with no outs. Bichette put a damper on things after he flew into a double play where Ewing was thrown out at second (a 7-6-4-5 double play). Lindor later stole second before Benge singled, driving in a run. Afterwards Young singled to put two men on for Marcus Semien, who blasted a three-run home run to left field to make it 5-0 Mets before the inning finally came to an end.

Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Thornton returned to the mound for the bottom of the third after the rain delay. He did not skip a beat, allowing no runs, helped out by a spectacular Benge play near the left field foul pole.

Ewing was hit by a pitch with two outs in the top of the fourth, and promptly stole second base. Lindor followed with a single, extending the Mets lead to 6-0.

In the bottom of the fourth, Benge was removed from the game after his web gem in left field, an injury that is now being referred to as “left-wrist soreness.” X-rays were negative, and interim manager Andy Green stated he may undergo further testing depending on where he stands tomorrow. Cristian Pache took his place in left field.

After a two-out walk by Luis Torrens in the top of the sixth inning, he stole his first base of the season and second of his career. Nothing else happened in the inning, but worth noting for the apparently speedy catcher.

Thornton was replaced by Dedniel Núñez in the bottom of the sixth after five stellar innings with a 36-minute rain delay mixed in there. Núñez pitched a scoreless inning, although he allowed a ground-rule double. 

Thornton’s final line: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K

Núñez allowed two straight hits to begin the seventh inning, and was promptly replaced by the electric Jefry Yan. However, he did not stop the bleeding, allowing both of the inherited runners to score, but made a spectacular play on a wild pitch to end the inning there with the Mets up 6-2.

Daniel Duarte replaced Yan in the bottom of the eighth, looking to steady the game. He would do just that, keeping the four-run Mets lead intact going into the ninth inning. 

Luke Weaver came in the game (as a Pirate) in the top of the ninth, and after retiring the first two batters he allowed a hit and a walk to Ewing and Lindor, respectively. However, the Mets would not capitalize, as Devin Williams took the mound for a non-save situation in the bottom of the inning.

Williams came on to try and close out the Mets’ first road four-game winning streak since August-September of 2024. The closer would do just that, despite allowing a pair of runs and getting some help from a Brett Baty outfield assist, getting the Mets off and running in the weekend series in Pittsburgh.

Player of the Game: Zach Thornton

Coming off the worst start of his young career, Thornton showed up and showed out in Friday night’s game. Although he went just five innings, he was at just 62 pitches when he departed the game, and was able to pitch on either side of a rain delay. The Mets’ No. 7 prospect has been a revelation, and is soon to graduate being a prospect all together. Thornton’s 2.52 ERA through seven career starts is unprecedented, and bodes well for his chances to be on the Opening Day roster next season.

On Deck

The Mets will resume action on Saturday at 6:40 p.m. EST in the second contest of the three-game set against the Pirates. Robert Stock will make his second start, looking to build off of what was a superb Mets debut. The game will stream live on SNY, with radio on WCBS 880 and the Audacy app.