John Jones-Imagn Images. Mets news: Andy Green 'encouraged' by Zac Thornton's 'gritty' outing vs. Padres appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here. New York Mets interim manager Andy Green found an encouraging development in rookie Zac Thornton’s performance despite Tuesday’s 5-2 loss to the San Diego Padres at Citi Field. Thornton allowed three earned runs over five innings but struck out seven and limited the damage outside Fernando Tatis Jr.’s two home runs. SNY Mets shared Green’s postgame assessment on X, formerly Twitter, including why Thornton’s expanded curveball usage could make his fastball-heavy arsenal more effective against major league hitters moving forward. “Felt gritty today. Encouraged one thing in particular: the curveball was the first time it featured somewhat prominently in the big leagues. I’ve seen it enough in the minor leagues, and really liked the pitch for a depth offering because a lot of what he does ends up bearing in on hitters. It gives some kind of a more of a south option, and he got some swings over top of that. That being a part of his arsenal really opens things up even further. So encouraged by that.” Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)
Andy Green said that Zac Thornton had a "gritty" outing and he was encouraged by his curveball pic.twitter.com/nMQr0sXCOL — SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) August 19, 2026
The Mets southpaw allowed six hits and one walk while striking out seven across five innings, matching his career high. The right-hander fell to 3-4 as New York’s four-game winning streak ended and its record dropped to 57-70. Tatis produced all three runs charged to the lefty. He drove the game’s first pitch 452 feet for a leadoff home run, then added a two-run shot in the fifth. Green acknowledged that Thornton left two four-seam fastballs over the plate, but his praise centered on how the rookie competed around those mistakes. The curveball gives Thornton a downward-breaking complement to pitches that move toward hitters. The swings it generated Tuesday showed why Green believes it can make the rookie’s arsenal more effective. Related: Jose Iglesias throws first pitch at Mets-Padres game, ahead of Broadway debut Related: Mets’ Andy Green drops encouraging Mark Vientos injury timeline recovery