CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – After getting banged around a bit in June, Triston McKenzie continues to be sensational in the month of July.
McKenzie pitched eight brilliant shutout innings while Josh Naylor and Andres Gimenez homered Thursday night against the Tigers in the Guardians’ 4-0 victory at Progressive Field.
The performance from the 24-year old brought the crowd to its feet several times, including his final strikeout to end the eighth inning.
“It’s great,” McKenzie said. “The fans really get into the game, and I don’t think there’s a better feeling than walking off the field and hearing the fans chant for you.”
McKenzie struck out a career-high 12 hitters while scattering five hits to pick up his seventh win of the season and push Cleveland back to .500 at 44-44.
“I thought tonight he maintained the energy in his delivery,” manager Terry Francona said. “It looked like every pitch, there was a tent. Fastball had good life, really good breaking ball. There’s been times where during an inning he’ll have to gather himself. Not tonight. His energy through his delivery was so good.”
McKenzie, who did not walk a batter, agreed.
“I think my delivery felt a lot better today than it did in my previous start,” McKenzie said. “Once I kind of feel that and [catcher Austin] Hedges picks up on it, I think we just fall into this nice rhythm where we’re going out there and we’re executing pitches. I’m not even shaking off; it’s more just hear the pitch and throw the pitch.”
The eight-inning outing also tied a career high for McKenzie, who has not allowed a run this month and extended his scoreless innings streak to 21 consecutive innings.
It’s the longest such scoreless inning streak in a single season since Cory Kluber tossed 26.0 scoreless innings during the 2017 season.
His ERA has dropped from 4.03 at the end of June to 3.20 following Thursday night’s spectacular performance.
“I don’t think anything mindsetwise has changed between the starts, it’s just the execution has been a lot better,” McKenzie said. “I’ve been working with my catchers to figure out a way to not give u big innings and I think it shows.”
Naylor opened the scoring in the second with a solo home run to right center, his 12th of the season, to give the Guardians an early 1-0 lead.
After the game, Naylor wanted to talk about McKenzie.
“Damn, that’s sick,” Naylor said of McKenzie’s scoreless innings streak.
“That’s what I expect of him every time. He’s a phenomenal pitcher. Obviously, some days aren’t going to go your way but I’m proud of him every single day. He’s having a lot of fun out there but the last three outings have been incredible.”
The first three Guardians reached on base hits to begin the third.
Jose Ramirez drove home Steven Kwan, who doubled to lead the inning off, with an RBI single to right. Andres Gimenez followed with a two-out RBI double to right increasing Cleveland’s lead to 3-0.
Gimenez homered to lead off the bottom of the eighth to give Cleveland more breathing room.
With McKenzie at 109 pitches, Francona didn't even think about having him pitch the ninth as he sent Emmanuel Clase, who pitched a scoreless ninth, out to finish the game.
“That was probably the highest mark this year already. We’ve tried to keep him around 95,” Francona said. “The kid’s 150 pounds soaking wet. We’re already down one starter. No, not even remotely. He knew it. I let him throw 130 pitches, you might be talking to somebody else here tomorrow.”