photo by: AP Photo/Pamela Smith

New York Mets pitcher Zac Thornton throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Sunday, July 12, 2026, in New York.

Former Free State pitcher Zac Thornton has thrown 21 1/3 innings since being called up to the New York Mets in May, and over the last 18 innings, nobody has scored a run against him.

On Tuesday, the former Firebird earned his first MLB win by pitching six scoreless innings in a 4-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. Thornton — who recently changed the spelling of his first name to remove the “h” — finished with two strikeouts against three hits and a walk allowed, improving his ERA to 1.93 and bringing his record to 1-1.

“I’ve always wanted to help this team win ball games — it’s always been my No. 1 thing as a ball player,” Thornton told media in Milwaukee after the game. “I’ve always been very team driven and wanted to be part of a winning and successful team.”

The road win over the Brewers was Thornton’s fourth appearance and his second in July. His first start came in an 8-4 loss to the Washington Nationals in which he allowed four runs in 4 1/3 innings, but Thornton improved in each appearance after. He allowed a run and five hits in six innings against the Philadelphia Phillies on June 26, which started his 18-inning scoreless run.

The Phillies started the game with three hits, leading to a first-inning run. But Thornton allowed only two hits across the final five innings and threw five strikeouts.

Thornton pitched seven innings of a 10-inning home loss to the Boston Red Sox and allowed two hits against five strikeouts. The Mets ultimately lost after allowing two runs in the ninth and a third run in the 10th inning.

But Tuesday brought Thornton his first victory and the Mets their 43rd, all against the NL Central leader.

Mets interim manager Andy Green told media in Milwaukee after the game that Thornton had “a good mix with aggression” in his pitches, particularly with his fastballs.

“He just throws it there with an intent and aggression,” Green said. “Those two things play really well together. I thought he threw some good curveballs today … He was great all the way around.”

Thornton has managed to stay efficient in his time on the mound, particularly after his first appearance. He told reporters after the game that it’s been about living on the corners that has helped him keep a low pitch count. That, along with confidence, has helped him start his MLB career.

“He gave up a couple of hits … and then after that he cruised,” Green said. “He continues to execute regardless of the situation, and that’s something I think we’ve always believed he has in him. He’s not going to have shutout outings every time, but he is the type of guy to respond when it doesn’t go well.”