Yusei Kikuchi reached double-digit wins in a major league season for the first time in his career Tuesday after pitching five-plus innings in the Toronto Blue Jays' 7-1 win over the New York Yankees.
Kikuchi (10-6) surrendered the only run of the game in the first inning when he allowed a single and then a game-tying double to Gleyber Torres at Yankee Stadium. The lefty opened the second and third giving up a hit, but retired all the rest before he issued a walk and came off the mound with a shoulder cramp in the sixth with the Blue Jays leading 4-1.
"It feels invigorating to win double-digit games, and I'm happy as it's my first time in five years (in MLB)," said Kikuchi, who struck out seven. "I've finally got here after struggling and fighting alongside my family, trainer and interpreter."
George Springer, Bo Bichette and Alejandro Kirk all went deep for the Blue Jays as they won their fourth straight.
Elsewhere, Kenta Maeda hurled five shutout innings with one hit and a walk to win his third straight start, steering the Minnesota Twins to a 7-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.
Maeda (6-7) struck out eight in a dominant 83-pitch outing at Great American Ball Park, throwing four perfect innings while yielding a two-out double and a walk in the fourth.
Ryan Jeffers and Willi Castro homered for the Twins, who lead the American League Central by eight games.
"My condition wasn't very good, but I was able to pitch as planned using a variety of pitches. I managed my breaking balls well and effectively," the right-hander said. "I hope to maintain my good condition and prepare well without slacking off until we win the league."
Seiya Suzuki had his 19th homer with a third-inning solo shot and went 3-for-4 as the Chicago Cubs trounced the Pittsburgh Pirates 14-1 to end their five-game skid.
Masataka Yoshida had a two-run single in the third in a 1-for-4 outing but the Boston Red Sox suffered a 6-4 defeat to the Texas Rangers.
