Thornton sets Blue Jays record for strikeouts in an MLB debut

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 31: Toronto Blue Jays Pitcher Trent Thornton (57) pitches in the first inning of his major league debut during the regular season MLB game between the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays on March 31, 2019 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON.

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Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Trent Thornton made team history in his first career MLB start.

The 25-year-old fanned eight batters over five scoreless innings Sunday against the Detroit Tigers to set a new franchise record for strikeouts by a pitcher in his first major-league start, the team announced.

Thornton bested the previous mark of seven set by Matt Boyd - who, ironically, pitched against Toronto on Friday - and Marc Rzepczynski, according to Rodney Hiemstra of MLB.com.

UPDATED:
Most Strikeouts by a #LetsGoBlueJays Pitcher in MLB Debut:

Trent Thornton: 8 - TODAY vs. DET
Matthew Boyd: 7 - 6/27/15 vs. TEX
Marc Rzepczynski: 7 - 7/7/09 at TB
Brett Cecil: 6 - 5/5/09 vs. CLE
Dustin McGowan: 6 - 7/30/05 vs. TEX
Butch Edge: 6 - 8/13/79 at OAK
— Rodney Hiemstra (@therodbot) March 31, 2019

The Blue Jays acquired Thornton in a November trade with the Houston Astros in exchange for infielder Aledmys Diaz.

Thornton is the No. 15-ranked prospect in the Blue Jays system, according to MLB Pipeline. He went 9-8 with a 4.42 ERA and 122 strikeouts in 124 1/3 innings in Triple-A in 2018.