It was the first time Japanese pitchers have faced off in a major league game. Ryu Hyun-jin’s teammate Yusei Kikuchi (32, Toronto Blue Jays) won a decision over major league rookie Kodai Senga (30, New York Mets).
Kikuchi allowed two runs on four hits (two home runs) with eight strikeouts and one walk in five innings of work against the New York Mets at Flushing City Field in Flushing, N.Y. (USA) on 5 May, but Nate Pearson’s blown save prevented him from recording the win.
Kikuchi, who signed a three-year, $36 million contract, pitched well in five games in April, going 4-0 with a 3.00 ERA. He adjusted his pitching mechanics in preparation for this season, and it paid off. His strike rate increased, his walks decreased, and he kept his runs in check. However, he struggled in May, going 2-2 with a 5.83 ERA in six games.토토사이트
That’s why his first start in June was so important. He broke the bad run in May. He got off to a strong start in the first inning with a 96.3 mph fastball to leadoff hitter Tommy Pham. He got a swinging strikeout on a slider. He gave up a walk to Mark Canha, then struck out Francisco Lindor on a slider. He threw a curveball to Pete Alonso, who flied out to shortstop.
Kikuchi gave up a slider to Starling Marte for an unearned double with one out in the second. He fouled off Jeff McNeil on a slider to third base. A wild pitch put runners on second and third, but he fouled off Mark Vientos with a curveball. In the third, he threw a 95-mph fastball to Pham for a solo shot, but induced a 96-mph grounder to shortstop to put runners on second and third with one out. He retired the side in order in the fourth, but with two outs in the fifth, he hit a slider to Pham for a solo shot to left.
Kikuchi’s chances of a win were blown, however, when his second pitcher, Nate Pearson, gave up two runs on two hits (two homers) and one walk in one inning to tie the game in the sixth. Pearson was given a blown save, but the Tigers scored two runs in the seventh to earn the win.
The five-year, $85 million Senga lasted 2⅔ innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits with three walks and five strikeouts. He’s been strong at home this season, going 3-1 with a 1.93 ERA in six starts, but that wasn’t the case tonight. He nearly sealed the game with his trademark forkball in the first inning and gave up a three-pitch walk to Matt Chapman in the second. A cutter to Dalton Bashaw was hit into right field and a forkball to Whit Merrifield didn’t make it into the strike zone. It was a two-run double.
Senga gave up a 94-mph fastball to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for a solo shot to left in the third. He was unable to get out of the inning after his fastball shook violently. Kikuchi should take solace in the fact that Senga won the game. Toronto wins 6-4.