McKenzie pitches Scrappers past Doubledays

Another quality start by McKenzie

leads Scrappers over Doubledays

By Steve Ruman

sports@vindy,com

NILES

Based on his mannerisms and his poise on the mound, it would be easy to mistake Triston McKenzie for a wily veteran.

In reality, McKenzie is the youngest player on the Scrappers’ roster.

On Tuesday night, a Scrappers team desperate for a win turned to their 18-year-old righty, who delivered like a pro.

Backed by McKenzie’s strong outing, the Scrappers defeated Auburn 9-5 in front of 2,370 fans at Eastwood Field.

McKenzie’s only mistake of the night came in the second inning when he surrendered a leadoff home run to Doubledays designated hitter Tres Berrera. McKenzie worked six innings, giving up two hits while recording eight strikeouts.

The right-hander, selected out of high school in the first round of the 2015 draft, has now started three games for the Scrappers. McKenzie has worked 16 2/3 innings, giving up just one earned run. He has 19 strikeouts while issuing just two walks.

“Every day I go out there and compete, the outcome is what happens,” McKenzie said. “I don’t really focus on the outcome. I focus on doing the best I can. Whether that means giving up no runs or giving up five runs with my team hitting behind me, whatever I can do.”

McKenzie threw 65 pitches, 51 for strikes.

“I feel like I’ve been commanding the zone well, getting strikes early in the count,” McKenzie said. “I don’t mind letting hitters hit the ball and letting my defense do its job.”

The Scrappers helped make a winner out of McKenzie with a three-run fifth. Silento Sayles was hit by a pitch to start the frame, then advanced to second when Gabriel Mejia reached on an error. Singles by Erlin Cerda and Luke Wakamatsu each scored a run, then Jodd Carter gave the Scrappers a 3-1 lead with a sacrifice fly.

The Scrappers added four runs in the sixth thanks to the wildness of Doubledays reliever Maximo Valerio, who issued three straight walks to start the inning. Nick Conner replaced Valerio and got back-to-back strikeouts, but a wild pitch, another walk and a pair of singles plated four runs.

Auburn scored four runs in the top of the seventh to cut its deficit to 7-5, but the Scrappers tacked on two runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning.

Carter collected three RBIs, while Wakamatsu knocked out three base hits.

Scrappers manager Edwin Rodriguez noted that McKenzie’s performance was typical of all three of his starts this year.

“He’s been doing this all three outings,” Rodriguez said. “He’s got a very good arm, he’s very aggressive, he goes after the hitters. Everything is going for him. He is doing everything right.

“Tristin is very confident, and he works at his game. He has earned what he has done so far.”

When asked what advice he gave McKenzie prior to the game, Rodriguez laughed, noting that there are times when silence is golden.

“I don’t say anything, I don’t want to mess it up,” Rodriguez said. “If you try to improve on what he has done, you’re going to mess it up. So I just let him be.”

The Scrappers and Doubledays continue their three-game series tonight at 7:05.