Yusei Kikuchi's Mariners' spring debut does not disappoint

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PEORIA, Arizona – The eagerly awaited debut of Mariners Yusei Kikuchi in the Cactus League did not disappoint.

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While the game does not mean anything about the regular season, the first look at Kikuchi sparked a lot of interest in the Major League forwards. More interested? Kikuchi himself.

"I played in Japan for nine years, I wanted to test what I was doing in Japan against the Major League hitters," Kikuchi said through interpreter Justin Novak, after his victory in the 11 to 3 victory for the Mariners against the Reds. . "I wanted to see how they reacted. I was excited and also a little nervous about it. "

Kikuchi's first run (1-2-3, 13 shots and nine shots) was marked by a rather annoying withdrawal of Joey Votto on a curve ball that deceived the six All Star and MVP players.

"Oh my God!", Exclaims Votto afterwards. "Very good curved ball. It was very surprising. In the league right now, there are not many pitchers throwing a curved ball like that. Hyun-Jin Ryu of the Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers. Maybe some others who throw a traditional curve ball on the left side like that. He has a lot of potential. "

Kikuchi was modest when asked if he was eliminated from Votto.

"It's a spring training for him, I'm sure he's also adjusting his momentum," Kikuchi said. "But to hit a batter of this caliber, I'm really happy with the result today."

The second run of Kikuchi was not as fluid as the first. He went through the leading group and then made some mistakes behind him. Two unearned points scored, but he showed that he was able to put the ball down on the floor a few times when he was in trouble. All this is translated by a very good first impression for his manager.

"Yusei Kikuchi, very good," said Scott Servais. said on the ground while a crowd of journalists surrounded him. "Better than very good. It was an exceptional first time there. He was a little nervous but the fastball was really good, up to 95, the brittle throws we know are exceptional. "

Kikuchi threw 29 shots in two innings, but much more before the match, as it is of use in Japan. He arrived at the park early for his departure, completed his warm-up routine, and played wrestling in front of the dugout until it was time to take the mound. A very different show in a park of the MLB.

"We wanted to let him follow his usual routine," said Servais. "He was there 50 to 55 minutes before the start of the match. That's what he normally does. Over time, we will have four to five outings for him. This spring, we will tighten this trend a bit and, over the course of the season, it will be a learning curve for him. "

Kikuchi himself acknowledged that he was not only adapting to the United States, but that he was still learning as a pitcher. There is a lot to be learned from his first experience against the league hitters.

"What I understood today is that the Major League hitters are very powerful and that's something I learned today. I will come home and learn and work for my next departure. "

The Mariners plan to keep Kikuchi in regular rotation, so he should pick up the ball in five days.

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