Kikuchi (4-9) took the loss against the Tigers on Saturday, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks with eight strikeouts over five innings.
Kikuchi allowed one run over his first five frames but loaded the bases to open the sixth. He was pulled at 94 pitches and all three inherited runners scored on a grand slam. The southpaw generated an impressive 15 swinging strikes, but he has now yielded at least four earned runs in six of his past 10 starts and hasn't won a game since June 11. On the season, he owns a 4.54 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 125:28 K:BB over 111 innings and lines up for a home matchup with the Rangers next week.
Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Can't escape disastrous fifth
Rotowire
Kikuchi allowed seven runs on six hits and three walks while striking out six over 4.2 innings Sunday against the Diamondbacks. He did not factor into the decision.
Kikuchi had no trouble getting through four innings and went into the fifth with a 7-0 lead that quickly evaporated. Kikuchi loaded the bases after allowing an infield single and two walks before Ketel Marte took him deep. Kikuchi was left in the game and could not help his own cause. He allowed another walk and a base hit before punching out Christian Walker for the second out of the inning. From there, Kikuchi gave up another run-scoring single and then hit Jake McCarthy before he finally was pulled from the game. Both inherited runners went on to score before the frame concluded. The seven runs allowed were Kikuchi's most in a game this season and he now has not picked up a win since June 11. The lefty will head into the break with a 4.42 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 117:26 K:BB in 106 innings.
Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi: Strong start goes to waste
Rotowire
Kikuchi did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Giants. He allowed two runs on six hits and struck out 13 over 7.1 innings while not walking a batter.
Kikuchi set a new career high with 13 strikeouts in this one and notched his fifth career 10-strikeout game. Both runs against him came via the long ball. Heliot Ramos took him deep in the fourth and then Tyler Fitzgerald led off the eighth with a solo blast, which ended Kikuchi's night at 100 pitches. He was still in line for the win at that point with the Blue Jays leading 3-2, but that lead was eventually squandered in the ninth. Tuesday's outing certainly boosted Kikuchi's trade value if the Blue Jays end up selling at the deadline. However, he does have a 6.38 ERA and has given up eight homers over his last five starts. For the year, Kikuchi owns a 4.00 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 111:23 K:BB in 101.1 innings. He lines up for another start over the weekend against the Diamondbacks before the All-Star break.
