Yusei Kikuchi's likely swan song ends well for Blue Jays in win over Texas Rangers

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He first took a comebacker off his right foot, causing some concern within Blue Jays management with Tuesday’s trade deadline nearing.

He would later give up a two-run home run, but one swinging strikeout later, Yusei Kikuchi’s night had officially ended. And with it, perhaps his days in Toronto.

Even Kikuchi seemed to acknowledge the moment once manager John Schneider walked to the mound to take the ball from him in the fifth inning of Friday night’s 6-5 walkoff win over the Texas Rangers. As Kikuchi made his way to the dugout, he doffed his cap twice as fans at the Rogers Centre showed their appreciation by warmly 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. 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.

Mind you, he hasn’t been as sharp of late and Friday night’s outing continued that trend. 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 was eventually lifted with two outs in the fifth and Toronto trailing 5-4. 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 for the pending free-agent Kikuchi is anyone’s guess, but until his mid-season slide, he was regarded as the most attractive piece the Jays have to offer a contending team.

In the seventh inning, the Jays tied the game and had a chance to go out in front. Then came a base-running blunder by Justin Turner as the Rangers used a double play to escape the inning tied.

But Ernie Clement played the role of hero by driving in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning with the bases loaded.

CHANGING FACES

A familiar face returned, while a new one was welcomed by the Jays on Friday.

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.

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. He 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, who was traded earlier in the day to the Seattle Mariners for minor-league outfielder Jonaton Clase and catcher Jacob Sharp.

NEW MARINERS

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fzicarelli@postmedia.com