Yusei Kikuchi declared he was in the best form of his MLB career after throwing 6-1/3 shutout innings for the Toronto Blue Jays in a 10-1 win Sunday over the Pittsburgh Pirates that completed a three-game sweep.
Continuing his impressive start to the season, the Japanese left-hander improved to 5-0 with a 3.35 ERA after fanning three while limiting the Pirates lineup to four hits and a pair of walks at Pittsburgh's PNC Park.
"Being able to attack the strike zone with my fastball was huge," Kikuchi said. "With the experience I've built up, things are taking shape, little by little."
The 31-year-old's consistent quality starts this year mark a turnaround from his difficult 2022 season, when he fell out of the Toronto rotation and eventually went 6-7 with a 5.19 ERA.
"I'm in my best form since coming to the majors," said the former Seibu Lions ace, who moved stateside in 2019.
Whit Merrifield keyed the Toronto offense with four RBIs, including a three-run home run in the third inning, while Brandon Belt went 3-for-4 with two runs.
In other MLB action, Boston Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida extended the longest active hitting streak in the majors to 16 games, going 2-for-4 in his team's 6-1 loss at the Philadelphia Phillies.
Shohei Ohtani went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run as designated hitter for the Los Angeles Angels, who lost 16-8 at home to the Texas Rangers.
