Toronto Blue Jays starter Yusei Kikuchi surrendered three home runs and lasted only four-plus innings, but the southpaw avoided the loss as his team rallied late to walk off with a 6-5 win against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.
Danny Jansen's two-RBI walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth completed the comeback and clinched a three-game sweep against the visiting Braves.
Kikuchi did not factor in the result and preserved a 5-0 record after giving up five runs, four earned, on nine hits. He exited with none out and Toronto trailing 5-4 in the top of the fifth.
The 31-year-old, who struck out seven and did not issue a walk, said the nature of the victory was testament to his team's strong character.
"It was a tough game for me personally, but in terms of the team, the result made me happier than any of our previous wins," Kikuchi said.
The former Seibu Lions ace gave up a leadoff home run to Ronald Acuna Jr., a two-run homer to Ozzie Albies in the third, and a solo to Kevin Pillar in the fourth.
"I felt in pretty good shape, but their batters were just a bit better," Kikuchi said. "They were a great lineup and I learned a lesson."
Elsewhere in the majors, Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki registered his second home run of the season with a solo blast in a 16-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis.
