The Blues, who will also meet Preston North End and Morecambe in Group A of the competition, ran Rovers ragged all night and treated those who braved the wet weather to a five-star performance.
Though Scapuzzi will grab the headlines, it was the silky skills of Denis Suarez who really caught the eye at a sodden Ewen Fields.
After just two minutes, the diminutive Spaniard crossed for Ahmad Benali who somehow shot over with the goal gaping, but it wasn’t long before Andy Welsh’s side took a deserved lead.
Scapuzzi opened his account for the night after playing a clever one-two with Suarez on the edge of the box before sending the return looping over the keeper and into the net.
It took Tranmere half-an-hour to create their first real chance but Mustafa Tiryaki missed a glaring header and Ellis Healing was denied by Eirik Johansen moments later.
Rovers were made to pay for those missed chances just before the break as Suarez once again provided the telling ball that afforded Benali the easiest of tap-ins to make amends for his earlier miss.
The hosts were even more dominant after half-time and Scapuzzi scored the first of three quick-fire City goals by heading home Reece Wabara’s cross
...City EDS 5 Tranmere 0
Just two minutes later Suarez got his reward for an outstanding display as he despatched the sweetest of free-kicks from 20 yards, before former AC Milan striker Scapuzzi claimed the match ball by tucking his penalty away after being felled in the box.
Lucas Atkins had the best of Tranmere’s second half opportunities, but his effort was saved by the outstretched legs of City’s Norwegian stopper - the closest the visitors would come on a productive night for City and Scapuzzi in particular.
