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He first took a comebacker off his right foot, causing some concern within club management as the Blue Jays continue to manage around Tuesday’s trade deadline.
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He would later get hit for a two-run home run.
One swinging strikeout later and Yusei Kikuchi’s night had officially ended.
And with it, perhaps his days in Toronto.
Even Kikuchi seemed to acknowledge and appreciate the moment once manager John Schneider walked to the mound in the fifth inning to take the ball from Kikuchi.
As Kikuchi made his way to the dugout, he doffed his cap twice as fans showed their appreciation by warmly and graciously applauding the left-hander.
For someone who has always left everything out on the mound, Kikuchi is fully aware of what awaits.
He arrived in Toronto as an enigmatic pitcher but is now likely to leave behind a legacy, albeit a brief one, of competitiveness and boundless energy.
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Mind you, he hasn’t been that good of late and Friday night’s outing against the Texas Rangers will not be remembered as one of Kikuchi’s finest, but it will be remembered for a 6-5 Blue Jays win.
He gave up one run in the first inning, was then staked to a 3-1 lead once the Jays were finished in the home half of the frame and eventually lifted with two outs in the fifth.
During his 4.2 innings, Kikuchi gave up five runs (all earned) on eight hits, while striking out five and walking two.
What the Jays will receive in the days leading up to Tuesday for Kikuchi is anyone’s guess.
As recently as two weeks ago, Kikuchi was deemed to be among the most coveted arms available in the trade market, a starter who can also be used out of the bullpen.
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After striking out a career-high 13 batters in San Franciso, Kikuchi gave up seven earned runs in 4.2 innings in Arizona before surrendering four runs in 5.0 innings against visiting Detroit when the Blue Jays began their nine-game homestand following the all-star break.
The past few weeks have been tough on Kikuchi, whose preference is to remain in Toronto.
The business of baseball dictates a move and it would be shocking if Kikuchi’s next start is with the Blue Jays.
He left Friday night with the Jays trailing, 5-4.
In the seventh inning, the Jays tied the game and had a chance to go out in front.
Then came a baserunning blunder by Justin Turner as the Rangers used a double play to escape the inning by yielding only one run.
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At least the Jays were in a close and competitive game featuring moments of high-end play and entertainment as the announced crowd of 35,065 for a change got their money’s worth.
Ernie Clement played the role of hero by driving in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning with bases loaded.
KIERMAIER FLYER
Mere days after announcing this would be his final season, Kevin Kiermaier did what he does best and has done well for what seems like his entire career by robbing a hitter of an extra-base hit.
When the Rangers began to cut into Toronto’s lead, Kiermaier sprinted to his left in centre field.
He then dove for the liner and made a highlight-reel catch.
Fans, who had nothing to cheer during Thursday’s 13-0 embarrassment, had plenty of reason to applaud, first when the home side plated three runs in its first at-bats and then when Kiermaier made his spectacular catch.
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He then sprinted down the line after hitting a ground ball.
The initial call at first base was an out.
Following a review initiated by the Jays, the call was overturned and Kiermaier was ruled sale on a force play.
Earlier, the Jays won a review on what was originally ruled a double play.
Video clearly showed Corey Seager failing to make contact with the bag at second before throwing over to first base.
CHANGING FACES
A familiar face would return, while a new one was welcomed by the club as Friday turned into moving day, a sign of the times as the Blue Jays gear up for next week’s trade deadline.
First came the announcement that right-hander Yerry Rodriguez had been called up from triple-A Buffalo.
In a corresponding move, the club optioned Ryan Burr to the Bisons.
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Rodriguez, 26, is from the Dominican Republic whom the Blue Jays acquired from the Rangers last month in return for minor-league pitcher Josh Mollerus.
Rodriguez has appeared in 12 MLB games this season, all with Texas, recording one win and an ERA of 6.88.
Burr made 10 appearances with the Blue Jays this year with an ERA of 5.40.
Then came news Zach Pop had been recalled from Buffalo as his up-and-down season continued.
Pop’s return fills the roster spot left by Yimi Garcia.
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WINDY CITY YIMI
Shortly after Tampa wrapped up their series win over the Blue Jays, the Rays sent Randy Arozarena to the Seattle Mariners, removing arguably the biggest hitting chip in the trade market.
Shortly before arriving at Rogers Centre Friday, Garcia was told he had been traded to the Mariners.
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Both hitter and reliever are scheduled to join the Mariners in Chicago Saturday well before Seattle’s scheduled night game against the White Sox.
The M’s can’t hit and hope the Arozarena acquisition addresses one area of concern.
The M’s are a bit thin in the bullpen and view Garcia as a key piece.
“Both those guys are veteran players,’’ Mariners manager Scott Servais told reporters Friday. “They’ve been around and they’ve been very successful in this league. When they get here, hopefully they give us a shot in the arm.”
One of the few post-season appearances for Seattle recently came two years ago, the team’s first since 2001, when it visited Toronto in the best-of-three wild card.
As fans of the Blue Jays can painfully recall, the Mariners swept the Jays only to get swept by Houston in the ALDS.
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