Kikuchi (7-7) allowed seven runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out two over just 2.2 innings in a loss to the Astros on Friday.
Kikuchi was hammered early and often Friday, allowing multiple runs in all three innings he pitched in before being pulled. Five of the seven runs he gave up came on a trio of long balls, marking the first time he's let up more than two homers in an outing this year. The 30-year-old southpaw has had little success against the Astros this year. In four games against the division rivals, Kikuchi is 1-2 with a 6.23 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 19:10 K:BB. Fortunately, he projects to have a softer matchup next week against the Royals.