Zach Thornton didn't just have a good start yesterday; he threw seven scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and striking out five, making it his best outing yet. This gem came despite the Mets getting swept 3-2 by the Red Sox in their final game before the All-Star break, a tough pill to swallow after such a dominant pitching performance.
The Kid Is All Right: Thornton Locks Down a Rotation Spot
This kid, Thornton, straight up earned his spot. After that stellar performance, the Mets are rolling with him in the rotation for the second half of the season. To make room, Tobias Myers got optioned back to Syracuse yesterday. Talk about making a statement right before the break! You gotta wonder what that does for team morale, knowing you've got a fresh arm like that stepping up big time. But even with Thornton's heroics, giving up the game-tying run in the ninth to a pinch runner stings, especially in a sweep.Closer Chaos and Rehab Comebacks
Now, here's the kicker: despite Devin Williams' recent struggles, manager Andy Green isn't even thinking about replacing him as closer with Luke Weaver. That's a strong vote of confidence, or maybe just stubbornness, depending on who you ask. Meanwhile, there's a tiny bit of good news floating around. Marcus Semien, a key bat, started a rehab assignment with Double-A Binghamton and went deep in his first game. That's a good sign for his return. Oh, and in case you missed it, Chris Pine was at Citi Field yesterday shooting a rom-com and even threw out a first pitch. Seriously, sometimes you can't make this stuff up. Jon Heyman even has six steps for David Stearns to start cleaning up what he calls "the mess" that is the New York Mets.Around the Diamond: NL East and All-Star Nods
Elsewhere in the NL East, it was a mixed bag. The Nationals dropped a 5-3 game to the Yankees, with Andrew Alvarez taking the loss after giving up three runs in two innings of relief. The Phillies, though, shut down the Tigers 5-0, thanks to Zack Wheeler's incredible six scoreless innings where he gave up just two hits and fanned ten. That's an All-Star caliber performance from someone who isn't even going! Cristopher Sánchez from the Phillies, however, *will* be starting the All-Star Game on Tuesday at his home ballpark, which is pretty cool. The Marlins ended their first half on a sour note, losing 5-2 to the Guardians, despite Griffin Conine hitting a solo homer. And the Braves eked out a 4-3 win against the Cardinals in the ninth, with Ozzie Albies scoring the go-ahead run on a Masyn Winn throwing error. With the All-Star break upon us, the Mets have a little time to regroup. The big question is whether Thornton can maintain this momentum and if Semien's return can spark the offense. Fans will be watching closely to see if Green sticks with Williams as closer, especially as the second half gets underway.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.