McKenzie, Indians take 1st game of doubleheader vs. Twins

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Triston McKenzie was sent to Triple-A four times this season, as the lanky 24-year-old worked through some early struggles.

Now Cleveland has another budding star pitcher, turning in one stellar start after another.

McKenzie cruised through six innings of the first game of a doubleheader to lead the Indians past Minnesota 3-1 on Tuesday, after a comebacker off the wrist of Twins rookie Joe Ryan sidelined one half of the pitching duel.

“That was pretty much the sole purpose of me going down there, to figure out my control and figure out how to attack the strike zone,” McKenzie said. “The past month a half, past two months, has just been a culmination of all the work that was put in.”

McKenzie (5-6) had seven strikeouts, including Byron Buxton three times, with just three hits and one walk allowed to record his fifth straight outing of six innings or more and one run or less. The right-hander has retired 96 of the last 112 batters he's faced.

“When he needs to throw a strike, he’s been able to put multiple pitches that he has in the strike zone,” acting Indians manager DeMarlo Hale said.

McKenzie trailed after an RBI double by Andrelton Simmons in the third, but Bradley Zimmer tied the game in the fifth with a home run off the shutters fronting the parking ramp behind the second deck in right field.

Ryan got right back to work after that, but he was forced out in the sixth when leadoff man Myles Straw smashed a single off the throwing arm of the 25-year-old right-hander, making his third big league start. Ryan knew right away he was hurt, stalking off the mound and going straight to the dugout where he slammed his glove in frustration. He apologized in an interview afterward for the “out of character” outburst.

Manager Rocco Baldelli said Ryan had a...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/McKenzie-Indians-take-1st-game-of-doubleheader-16459310.php