<\/p>\n
ANAHEIM \u2014Yusei Kikuchi finished his first season with the Angels by posting exactly the numbers you would expect.<\/p>\n
Kikuchi, who gave up one run in the Angels\u2019 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night, posted a 3.99 ERA with the Angels after having a 4.05 ERA last season and a 3.86 mark in 2023.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooking at my numbers, it\u2019s been similar the last three years,\u201d Kikuchi said through his interpreter. \u201cSo you could take it negatively, the fact that the numbers are still the same. But I can also take it positively as well. I think I have another gear, and I think I can take the positive from this year and I can be even better next year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kikuchi\u2019s season ended with a hint of concern, because he was pulled after five innings with what was initially described as cramping in his forearm. Kikuchi later clarified that it was in the tip of his finger.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fine,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Kikuchi was working on a one-hitter when he took the mound in the sixth. Before Kikuchi could even face a batter, Angels athletic trainer Eric Munson came to the mound, along with an entourage that included his interpreter, the manager and the pitching coach.<\/p>\n
With no reason to take any chances at this point in the season, the Angels pulled Kikuchi, ending the first year of three-year, $63 million deal with the Angels.<\/p>\n
Kikuchi finished with a career-high 178\u2153 innings with the Angels. After making the All-Star team, Kikuchi struggled for much of the second half. He finished the year with a 2.16 ERA in his last three starts.<\/p>\n
\u201cI finished off on a good note today,\u201d Kikuchi said. \u201cThe last three games especially, I think really went well. I think I can take the positives from that, and it\u2019ll lead to good things for next year. Looking forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Montgomery said Wednesday\u2019s game was particularly sharp. Kikuchi did not allow a hit until Randal Grichuk hit a homer in the fifth. That ended up being the only hit or run he allowed. He finished with one walk and one strikeout.<\/p>\n
\u201cCommanded the ball, was handling the zone as good as we\u2019ve seen all year,\u201d Montgomery said. \u201cEfficient. Who knows how far he would have gone tonight had he not gotten that little cramp?\u201d<\/p>\n
Kikuchi picked up the victory because the Angels had a 3-1 lead when he left, which was the result of some better at-bats than usual and the Royals\u2019 shaky defense.<\/p>\n
The Angels (71-87) struck out only six times, their fewest in a game since Sept. 10.<\/p>\n