The nostalgia for Ryu Hyun-jin (36, Toronto Blue Jays) is growing.
The Toronto Blue Jays took a hard-fought 5-4 win in game two of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday (July 7) at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The team ended the day on a high note, winning both games following a 6-2 victory in Game 1 of the doubleheader.
Jose Berrios was the star of the show in Game 1, pitching seven innings of one-hit ball with one walk and six strikeouts. He did his job as a starter with a solid outing, but Game 2 was a different story. Starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi was shaky.
After getting out of the first inning with a triple, Kikuchi was hit by back-to-back singles two batters later in the second inning to put runners on second and third, but he got out of the jam without giving up a run.
The jitters quickly turned into runs. In the top of the third inning, Tim Anderson singled with one out to tie the game at 1-1. Two batters later, Eloy Jimenez gave up a two-run homer to cut the lead to 1-3.
Kikuchi received run support from teammates Matt Chapman and Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. In the bottom of the fifth, Anderson’s single with runners on first and third allowed a runner to score to make it 3-4. He was replaced by reliever Jay Jackson in the bottom of the sixth and finished the night. His final line was five innings, eight hits (one home run), no walks, four strikeouts, and four runs.
Kikuchi’s performance was crucial. With the team going into extra innings in Game 1 of the doubleheader, Kikuchi needed to go the distance and save his core bullpen, but he wasn’t up to the task. He was unable to hold the opposing offense in check and had to leave the game after five innings. The situation wasn’t good enough for Toronto to bring in Jackson, who had only pitched in four games this year, in a close game.
Kikuchi has been extremely shaky lately. In two starts this month, he has allowed nine runs in 9 1/3 innings and has a monthly ERA of 8.68. He seemed to stabilize last month with a 2.28 ERA in 27⅔ innings, but his inconsistency hasn’t helped the starting rotation.
Toronto is currently struggling with Kikuchi, the only left-handed starter on the roster, but the good news is that Ryu will return later this month. In his first start in 398 days on May 5, Ryu faced 13 batters and allowed one run on three hits and four walks while striking out five. He threw 42 pitches, and his fastball was up to 88 miles per hour (about 141.6 kilometers per hour) as he continues to feel better.카지노사이트
Toronto plans to go with a starting rotation of Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Chris Bassett, Yusei Kikuchi, and Alec Manoa, who will return from the minors. The problem is that all but Kikuchi are right-handed pitchers. They need Kikuchi, a left-handed pitcher, to get back on track, but his lack of consistency is a problem.
Local media outlets have also been reporting on Ryu’s rehab appearances, expressing hope that the Korean Monster’s return will have a positive impact on the team. The Toronto Sun recently reported, “Ryu threw three effective innings in his rehab start. If he continues on his current path, he could return to the big leagues later this month. It will be a big boost for the Toronto mound.”
As he continues to improve, Ryu could return to the big league mound and provide the Rays with a left-handed pitcher who can add variety to their lineup.