Kikuchi brilliant as Blue Jays take series finale against Dodgers
Posted July 26, 2023 7:26 pm.
Last Updated July 26, 2023 7:30 pm.
Starter Yusei Kikuchi impressed with six strong innings as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-1 in the series finale on Wednesday afternoon.
Kikuchi improved to 8-3 this year, striking out eight batters across six innings. He walked two and was charged with one earned run.
The southpaw escaped jams multiple times against a talented Dodgers lineup in what was yet another strong outing for the 32-year-old, who now has 20 strikeouts and only six walks in his last three starts.
Shortstop Bo Bichette had three hits and two RBIs, while left fielder Whit Merrifield had two hits and four driven in, including a three-run homer. Catcher Danny Jansen stayed hot at the plate with his 13th home run, a solo shot.
The Whit Stick ???? pic.twitter.com/I7aGjL44Pu
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 26, 2023
The Blue Jays rebounded from a gutting defeat on Tuesday after coughing up a four-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, leading to an 8-7 loss in extras. With Canadian closer Jordan Romano unavailable, the club turned to Erik Swanson, who was charged with four earned runs in the ninth. Mitch White would give up the game-winning run in the 10th.
A taxed Blue Jays bullpen got the job done on Wednesday, as relievers Jay Jackson, Tim Mayza, and Trevor Richards pitched three scoreless en route to the win.
Toronto will now get a much-needed day off on Thursday before returning home to the Rogers Centre for a three-game series against Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Angels.
Ohtani was supposed to start in Toronto on Friday, but that has been pushed back. The Angels will instead hand the ball to Chase Silseth, while the Blue Jays will counter with Kevin Gausman.
That game will be broadcast exclusively on Apple TV at 7:07 p.m.
