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MILWAUKEE — The intrigue surrounding Zac Thornton isn’t about to dissipate anytime soon.
For a second straight start, the rookie left-hander worked at least six innings for the Mets and departed without allowing a run. What’s not to like?
His attack-the-strike-zone approach is refreshing, as veterans such as Freddy Peralta and Kodai Senga in particular continue to struggle on that front. On Tuesday, Thornton carried the Mets to a 4-0 victory over the Brewers at American Family Field for the team’s third win in five games since the All-Star break.
Thornton, who picked up his first career victory, pitched six shutout innings, allowing three hits and one walk with two strikeouts. It followed his seven scoreless frames against the Red Sox on July 12, and in his previous start he surrendered only one earned run over six innings against the Phillies. The opposition has been challenging.
“I have always wanted to help this team win ballgames,” Thornton said. “It’s always been my No. 1 thing as a baseball player, not my personal accolades or anything like that. I have always been very team-driven and wanted to be part of the winning and a successful team.”
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David Peterson’s trade to the Cubs last month created the opening for Thornton, and he’s seized the moment. This latest gem extended his scoreless innings streak to 18 and lowered his ERA to 1.93 over four career major league starts.
Another young pitcher who has excelled, Christian Scott, is set to face the Brewers in Wednesday’s series finale. Those two arms have joined rookie Nolan McLean to give the Mets a starting pitching nucleus worth celebrating.
“[Thornton] was the same guy, unafraid, he attacks,” interim manager Andy Green said. “He went after every hitter, and it’s just a good mix with aggression and really good defense behind him today.”
Jared Young’s second-inning homer against Brandon Sproat gave the Mets a 1-0 lead. Young’s blast was his seventh of the season, continuing his left-handed offensive contributions at first base, where he has provided a measure of respectability for the Mets this season.
Thornton received a defensive boost in the third when A.J. Ewing snagged Joey Ortiz’s sinking line drive on a dive in left field for the second out. Thornton began his night by allowing a single and a walk in the first inning, but escaped by getting Andrew Vaughn to ground into a double play.
Sproat, who was once the Mets’ top pitching prospect — he was traded to the Brewers with Jett Williams for Peralta and Tobias Myers in January — lasted 4 ²/₃ innings and surrendered two earned runs on two hits and four walks with four strikeouts.
“On a personal level, I have a ton of respect for Brandon, the way he went about his job with us,” said Green, who served as the organization’s farm director before becoming interim manager last month. “He works incredibly hard and he’s a great person, a great teammate. You pull for those guys, but at the same time you face him today, you go hard in the other direction.”
Carson Benge stroked a two-run double in the fifth after Sproat walked the final batter he faced, Bo Bichette. Francisco Lindor doubled ahead of Benge’s hit that gave the Mets a 3-0 lead.
Luis Robert Jr. smashed a 451-foot homer to left in the eighth that gave the Mets their final run.
Robert was activated from the injured list a day earlier after missing 2 ½ months.
Thornton surrendered the Brewers’ first legitimate hit in the sixth on Cooper Pratt’s sinking line drive that just eluded Benge’s glove in right field. Ortiz also singled in the inning.
Thornton escaped with help from Ewing’s tumbling catch on the warning track in left field on Brice Turang’s fly ball.
“I didn’t want to leave the infield out there any longer, so I tried to throw my best strike pitch,” Thornton said.
