Will this year be different? Toronto Blue Jays Japanese pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (32) pitched well.
Kikuchi started on the 5th (Korean time) in an away game against the Kansas City Royals in the ‘2023 Major League Baseball’ held at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. On this day, he recorded 3 hits, 1 home run, 1 walk, 1 run and 2 strikeouts in 5 innings. His highest speed was taken at 97.8 miles (157.3 km). Thanks to Kikuchi’s performance, Toronto won 4-1.온라인바카라
He finished scoreless in all innings except for the second. Kikuchi, who finished the first episode with a triple-death, was hit by a solo shot by Franmil Reyes in the second. Afterwards, he was hit by Matt Duffy in left-center, and gave up second base on a wild pitch, but ended the inning without allowing any additional runs.
After that, he blocked all 3-4 innings with no runs, and in the 5th inning, leading 3-1, he faced a crisis with one company on 1st and 2nd base, but he struck out two follow-up batters and kept the team lead. And Kikuchi finished the mound after already passing the ball to Garcia.
Kikuchi signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners in 2019 and embarked on a big league challenge. He moved to Toronto for three years and $36 million last year, and was named in the starting rotation. However, he struggled with his first pitch, and spent his first year in Toronto with a 5.19 ERA with 6 wins, 7 losses and 1 save in 32 games.
However, in this demonstration game, it was different. He recorded an average ERA of 0.87 with 2 wins and 1 loss in 20⅔ innings in 7 games. He was equipped with a new breaking ball, and he was full of confidence. Kikuchi predicted his performance this season, saying, “I am in the best shape in the last 5 years.”
And Kikuchi, who had a better fight than expected in his first appearance. If he continues his performance, it is expected to be a great help to Toronto’s starting lineup.