Despite results, Mets' Zach Thornton reflects on 'super special' MLB debut: 'I feel as though I belong here'
More importantly than the box score, Mets' Zach Thornton called his MLB debut "everything you kind of dream about" and was thankful that his father, Paul, could be in attendance.
While it wasn't a storybook debut, Mets LHP Zach Thornton was able to settle in after a tough first inning and get through 4. 1 innings on Wednesday night against the Washington Nationals. The 24-year-old let up a three-run home run to CJ Abrams in the first and another run in the second inning, but found a way to retire nine out of the final 10 batters he faced, including eight straight.
After the 8-4 loss , Thornton was asked how he was able to lock back in after that first inning for the remainder of the outing and expressed confidence in his ability. "I just know that I need to get in zone," Thornton said. "I feel as though I belong here.
My stuff's going to play. So if I can just get in zone I'll be alright. " Overall, Thornton allowed four runs on four hits over 4.
1 innings with three strikeouts and two walks. He said nerves weren't really a factor, because he's "nervous before every game," while focusing on the basics and adapting to the "little bit better" MLB hitters helped him throughout the night. "Just getting back to what I do best, getting to two strikes before I get to one ball," Thornton said.