Ryusuke Kikuchi Shines on Both Sides of the Ball in Carp Victory Over Hanshin

Ryusuke Kikuchi delivered an all-around performance Wednesday night, making key plays both offensively and defensively as the Hiroshima Carp defeated the Hanshin Tigers 3-1 at Koshien Stadium.

With the game still scoreless in the seventh inning, Kikuchi came to the plate with one out and runners on first and second. Facing Hanshin reliever Rito Kinoshita, he worked the count to 2-2 before driving a pitch down the third-base line for a go-ahead RBI double.

It was Hiroshima's first RBI in 29 innings, and it finally broke open a game dominated by both starting pitchers.

“I wasn't really looking for any particular pitch. The pitcher had just been replaced, so I felt the momentum might change. Tokoda had been pitching beautifully, without giving up many ground balls. I just wanted to do something to help.”

Kikuchi's hit opened the floodgates. Hiroshima added two more runs later in the inning on Shosei Nakamura's two-run single, giving the Carp a 3-0 lead. Nakamura went on to collect four hits in the game.

But Kikuchi's biggest contribution may have come earlier in the game.

In the bottom of the fifth with two outs and a runner on first, Hanshin pitcher Haruto Takahashi lined a ball over the head of Hiroshima third baseman Tai Sasaki and into right field for a double.

The runner, Tora Fushimi, immediately tried to score from first.

Sasaki quickly fielded the ball and relayed it toward Kikuchi at second base. Kikuchi gathered the throw and immediately fired toward home, where catcher Taiki Mochimaru made the tag to cut down Fushimi at the plate.

The play preserved the scoreless tie and prevented Hanshin from taking the lead.

Kikuchi gave credit to his catcher rather than himself.

“The throw was a little off, but Mochi made a great catch.”

The veteran second baseman's combination of range, quick decision-making and arm strength once again showed why his defense remains such an important part of Hiroshima's identity.

Kikuchi entered the game batting second and finished the night with the go-ahead hit that finally gave Hiroshima's offense some breathing room. His contribution also complemented Hiroki Tokoda's eight scoreless innings, as the left-hander held Hanshin to four hits.

For a Hiroshima team that had lost three straight games coming into the night, Kikuchi's timely offense and defensive play helped provide exactly the kind of veteran contribution the Carp needed.

The 36-year-old remained typically understated afterward, focusing less on his own performance than on simply finding a way to help the team win.

“I just wanted to do something.”

On this night, Kikuchi did more than that. He helped save a run with his glove, broke a 29-inning drought with his bat, and played a central role in a crucial 3-1 victory over the league-leading Tigers.