Triston McKenzie strikes out 10 in MLB debut

Cleveland Baseball Club pitcher Triston McKenzie struck out 10 batters and came away with his first win in his MLB debut Saturday.

Well this should sound familiar, a Cleveland pitcher made a dominant start in 2020. Triston McKenzie struck out 10 batters in his MLB debut and won the first game of his career in Saturday’s 6-1 win.

McKenzie’s 10 strikeouts were the second-highest for a Cleveland pitcher in their MLB debut, only Luis Tiant struck out more (11).

Triston McKenzie allowed only 1 run on 2 hits in 6 innings, that run came in the 4th inning when former Cleveland prospect Willi Castro hit a solo home run. The only other hit allowed by McKenzie was a Jeimer Candelario double in the 5th inning.

The Cleveland offense immediately after McKenzie pitched his final inning. Cleveland scored 4 runs in the 6th inning, 3 of which came on a bases loaded double from Domingo Santana. Roberto Perez would drive in Santana with an RBI single shortly after. Carlos Santana would add another run in the 7th with a sacrifice fly. A Cesar Hernandez RBI single in the 8th would give Cleveland a comfortable 6-1 lead.

The bullpen was able to preserve the game after Triston McKenzie exited after the 6th inning. Nick Wittgren and James Karinchak did not allow a baserunner and struck out 3 batters. Adam Cimber pitched the 9th inning, allowing a double to Victor Reyes but he did not come around to score.