Guardians: Triston McKenzie commands fastball, controls White Sox

CLEVELAND — Triston McKenzie got back in the zone and back on track. The Cleveland righty shook off a tough debut with a bounce-back effort Monday, pitching shutout ball into the sixth in helping the Guardians to a 4-0 win against the Chicago White Sox in their home opener at Progressive Field. "I think I commanded the zone a lot better today and I think I was able to do that a lot better with the heater," McKenzie said. "It's a communication thing. It's something I talked to them about after the game. I don't think I pitched bad the last outing, but I didn't go deep enough into the game because I didn't command the zone. I tried to do that more with the fastball today." McKenzie had a rough go in Seattle on April 1, giving up four hits, two walks and five runs — four earned — while striking out two in 3 1/3 innings of a 5-4 loss. He wasn't supposed to start on Monday, but Shane Bieber suffered a UCL injury and will need season-ending Tommy John surgery, so McKenzie got the nod and did not disappoint, allowing three hits and four walks with two strikeouts in 5 2/3 shutout innings. It was a refreshing bounce back for the 26-year-old, who was unable to build off a breakout 2022 due to multiple injuries in 2023. He began last season on the 60-day injured list with a muscle strain, but worked his way back to make his first start on June 4. Two starts later, he was placed on the injured list when an MRI revealed a UCL sprain, ending his season. "He was efficient with his pitches early in the game," Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. "Still a little bit of command stuff, but he was able to get back on track right away and it just shows the progression he's had. Where he's come from and where he's headed, we're really excited about Triston. He threw the ball well tonight." McKenzie only allowed four runners to reach scoring position. The White Sox had a chance to get on the board first when Yoan Moncada reached on a single to left, stole second and wound up on third on Gavin Sheets' flyout to right, but Andrew Vaughn couldn't bring him home, flying out to second. A one-out double by Dominic Fletcher gave Chicago another chance to tag McKenzie, but he retired the next two. Chicago's best chance came in the fifth when McKenzie walked two batters and they advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch with two outs. It didn't faze him and he induced a groundout. McKenzie retired the first two in the sixth before Andrew Benintendi reached on a shallow fly ball to left. That ended his day and he left to a roaring ovation. "It was huge for me to be able to go out there and put up zeros," McKenzie said. "I could feel the energy in the stadium, not just from the fans, but from the guys here after having a long road trip." Contact Chris Sweeney at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com. Follow him @CSweeney1686 on X.