Blue Jays' Kikuchi hit hard by Tigers, pulled after three innings

Sunday was merely not Yusei Kikuchi’s day.

The left-handed Japanese pitcher was pulled simply three innings into his mid-day begin after giving up 5 runs, all earned, to the Detroit Tigers. His day was capped off by a Spencer Torkelson solo homer within the third that put the Blue Jays down 5-0 at that time.

It’s been a tricky stretch of appearances for Kikuchi as he’s 0-3 with two no-decisions in his final 5 outings. Although, he was coming off a top quality begin in opposition to the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, giving up three runs (two earned) and 5 hits by six innings.

He additionally hasn’t had a lot success in opposition to the Tigers; he’s 1-1 in his profession in opposition to Detroit with a 4.71 ERA by 4 begins.

In equity to Kikuchi, the Jays didn’t do him any favours with their continued struggles hitting the ball with runners in scoring place. At the highest of the third earlier than the lefty’s ultimate inning of labor, Toronto had a bases-loaded, no-out state of affairs that led to zero runs scored.