Kikuchi got a no-decision in Thursday's 6-4 loss to Kansas City, allowing four runs on four hits and a walk with three strikeouts in five innings.
Through five innings, Kikuchi faced 16 batters and allowed just two baserunners, but he put the first four Royals on base in the sixth and was removed after only 65 pitches. Reliever Joe Smith entered and served up a Salvador Perez grand slam to leave Kikuchi with an ugly line for the game. Since representing Seattle in the All-Star Game, the 30-year-old has struggled to a 6.46 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in eight second-half starts.