After an awkward start as an Astro, Yusei Kikuchi found his groove, striking out 11, including a franchise-record-tying eight straight, in Houston's 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday.
The 33-year-old lefty, acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, allowed a double and a home run to the first two batters he faced at Houston's Minute Maid Park.
"I kept us in the game and we were able to win," said Kikuchi, who did not figure in the decision. "I am really relieved."
Kikuchi allowed two runs on three hits and three walks in 5-2/3 innings, and left with the game tied 2-2. The Astros bullpen then kept the Rays in check, and Houston took the lead on a seventh-inning error and held on to win.
Astros manager Joe Espada raved about his new lefty.
"He was outstanding, 11 punchies, eight in a row. His fastball was explosive and then he started mixing in all his breaking balls," Espada said.
"The changeup was the game-changer for me. Because that's what we want him to do is throw that changeup in the zone. It's a really, really good pitch and it makes his fastball a much better pitch."
The Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani went 1-for-5 in a 6-5 loss to the Oakland Athletics but hit a three-run home run, his National League-leading 33rd, in the ninth inning.
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