Yusei Kikuchi has been a solid pickup for the Houston Astros during his time in the team’s starting rotation. Kikuchi was on his game Saturday night, helping Houston beat the Kansas City Royals 5-2.
It was a pitcher’s duel between Kikuchi (7-9) and Royals’ starter Cole Ragans (10-9). Both were throwing gas and mixing their pitches so well. Fans in attendance at Minute Maid Park watched Astros and Royals hitters guess a lot in their at-bats. In seven innings of work, Kikuchi finished with 12 strikeouts.
Houston Astros Come Up Clutch
Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown deserves credit for picking up Kikuchi from the Toronto Blue Jays. Since joining the Astros, Kikuchi has gone 3-0 with a 2.57 ERA. Adding a crafty left-handed pitcher like him into the Astros’ starting rotation has paid big-time dividends.
He gave up five hits in seven innings of work. Kikuchi threw 101 pitches and 75 of those were strikes, The Associated Press reported.
Yusei Kikuchi: 7ip, 5H, 1R, 1ER, 0BB, 12K. 101 pitches/75 strikes. Tremendous acquisition by GM Dana Brown.
pic.twitter.com/UhS3RH0A6M— Mark Berman (@MarkBerman_) September 1, 2024
And that vaunted Houston Astros offense was just missing in action a lot. That was due to Ragans, who only allowed one hit in five innings. Ragans had eight straight strikeouts at one point, matching a team record also held by Blake Stein. He finished his night with 10 strikeouts. Ragans now has 197 strikeouts this season, setting a Royals’ single-season record. He has September to add to his total, too.
After Kikuchi left, Houston Astros reliever Hector Neris came on. He gave up a solo home run in the eighth inning to Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. It was Witt’s 29th homer this season.
Royals Rob Yordan Alvarez
Yordan Alvarez almost had a home run in the bottom of the eighth. But Royals right fielder Garrett Hampson was Johnny-on-the-spot and robbed Alvarez with a highlight-reel catch. Hampton leaped above the yellow home run line in right field.
Garrett Hampson just committed a ROBBERY! #Royals pic.twitter.com/ir2YIu7Fju
— Bally Sports Kansas City (@BallySportsKC) September 1, 2024
Josh Hader was not available Saturday night. So Ryan Pressly filled his old closer’s role wonderfully, pitching a scoreless ninth inning for his third save.
Astros third baseman Alex Bregman was out of the lineup again on Saturday. He is still dealing with elbow inflammation. As for outfielder Kyle Tucker, he continues to work hard toward returning to the Astros lineup. As September is here, the Astros will need Tucker’s outfield play and at-bats to help them get to the postseason.
The Astros remain in first place in the American League West Division. The Seattle Mariners continue to try and catch Houston, but the Astros have been able to hold off any Seattle push. Houston has reached the stretch drive. Astros fans will be watching to see if the team can, yet again, find a way to postseason play.
The Houston Astros will go for a four-game sweep on Sunday afternoon. Kansas City sends Alec Marsh (7-7, 4.67 ERA) out against Houston’s Ronel Blanco (9-6, 3.14).
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