In a closely contested match, the Los Angeles Angels secured a 3-2 victory against the Kansas City Royals on September 27, 2023. The game took a concerning turn for the Angels when pitcher Yusei Kikuchi left the mound due to a left forearm cramp, just as he was nearing the end of his first season with the team.
Kikuchi had been performing exceptionally, allowing only one hit through five innings before exiting the game in the sixth. Angels athletic trainer Eric Munson approached the mound, accompanied by the team’s manager and pitching coach. Concern for Kikuchi’s health prompted the Angels to take precautionary measures, ultimately deciding to remove him from the game.
This decision effectively concluded Kikuchi’s season, which was significant as he signed a three-year, $63 million contract with the Angels prior to the start of the year. His performance mirrored expectations, considering his previous season with the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros, where he maintained a 4.05 ERA over 175.2 innings. This year, Kikuchi improved slightly, finishing with a 3.99 ERA in a career-high 178.1 innings for the Angels.
Kikuchi’s season included an impressive All-Star selection, although he encountered challenges in the latter half of the season. Notably, he concluded the year with a notable 2.16 ERA in his final three starts, showcasing a strong finish despite earlier struggles.
The Angels took advantage of some timely hitting and defensive errors from the Royals to build a lead. They recorded only six strikeouts in the game, the fewest since September 10, 2023. This marked a significant change for the team, which had been averaging 14 strikeouts per game during a rough stretch of play, leading to a subpar 1-10 record in their previous eleven games.
A highlight of the game came from Taylor Ward, who hit his 36th home run of the season, contributing to the Angels’ scoring. The Angels capitalized on two strikeouts by Royals right-hander Stephen Kolek, who had a lower than average strikeout rate of 17%. The Angels were able to convert opportunities into runs after making contact with two-strike pitches, showcasing an improved approach at the plate.
The Royals managed to narrow the score to 3-2 with a run against reliever Chase Silseth in the seventh inning. However, Luis Garcia and closer Kenley Jansen held the fort, with Jansen earning his 28th save of the season.
As the Angels conclude their season with a record of 71-87, the focus will now shift to analyzing team performance and preparing for the upcoming offseason. The potential impact of Kikuchi’s injury on future plans will also be under scrutiny as the team looks to improve in the next season.
More updates on this story and the Angels’ plans for the future are expected in the coming days.