Triston McKenzie Was Giving Off Those Ohtani Vibes

Triston McKenzie came into the Red’s house, left the lights on, and didn’t bother cleaning up the dishes as he struck out 7 and recorded his first career hit in his start Saturday afternoon.

The Indians former top prospect got his second start of the year and was a nightmare for Reds hitters.  He finished with 7 strikeouts and only gave up 1 run through 5 innings in his team’s Saturday matinee against the Cincinnati Reds.  The only run he gave up came on a third-inning solo home run.

McKenzie would go on to overshadow that lonely blemish as he upped his strikeout total for the 3rd straight appearance. He has accounted for at least 5 strikeouts in every game. 

Six of McKenzie’s strikeouts came in the first 3 innings of the game; his biggest one coming with two outs and two runners on to escape a third-inning jam.

“Dr. Sticks’ ‘ as he was referred to by the Indians broadcast team surgically worked with his bat as well, on the way to recording the first hit of his major league career, singling to Right Field in the 4th inning off Sonny Gray.  

It has been a solid start to the 2021 season for McKenzie, coming off a successful rookie season in 2020.  He finished last year with a 2-1 record posting an impressive 3.24 ERA and striking out 42 batters in 8 games. 

This season we have seen the Indians struggle as a team at the plate, putting more pressure on McKenzie to grow up fast and become a shutdown starter… a slump buster…  especially with the team losing former Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer, 

This week was a special one for the rest of the league and McKenzie as we celebrated Jackie Robinson Day.  Although McKenzie was not on the mound, his impact was still felt as he along with more than 200 members of the Player Alliance donated their game day salaries to the Jackie Robinson Scholarship Foundations.

Early on it’s looking like McKenzie is poised to power through a sophomore slump and be a major part of the Cleveland rotation.