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Trent Thornton looked like a reliever who knew his line wasn't going to hold.
After walking Joey Ortiz and surrendering singles to Cooper Pratt and Jackson Chourio in the fifth inning Wednesday night at Wrigley Field, the 32-year-old Cubs right-hander was pulled by manager Craig Counsell, walked into the dugout, and spiked his glove into the bench before screaming twice.
Chicago lost to the Milwaukee Brewers 9-5, dropping game three of a four-game series that has now tilted firmly toward Milwaukee. The case for giving Thornton some latitude here is in the numbers.
In 44 games this season, his first with the Cubs, he carries a 3.40 ERA across 45 innings with three saves. That is the profile of a reliever who has been a net positive for the roster.
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