Kikuchi, Guerrero help Jays edge Yankees

The Toronto Blue Jays will not tire of seeing their sleepy left-hander Yusei Kikuchi perform as he did against the New York Yankees on Tuesday.

Kikuchi (1-1), who claimed last fall after a late-season win that he sleeps 13 to 14 hours the night before a start, spearheaded the Blue Jays to a 5-4 victory against the Yankees (12-6).

He struck out nine and allowed only a run on four hits and a walk in a masterful 94-pitch outing as Toronto (10-8) won its season-high fourth in a row, while the Yankees dropped their third straight.

“It’s my sixth year, and this is the most confident I’ve been with all my pitches,” Kikuchi said. “I don’t have to think about the little things, like my mechanics. I’m just going out there and attacking the hitter.”

That was evident in the first inning as Kikuchi struck out the first three batters he faced: Anthony Volpe, Juan Soto and Aaron Judge.

“He’s got a great mix, and his curveball was such a big pitch for him tonight,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “It was electric at times.

“He’s got weapons, and he’s confident with every pitch.”

The only concern for Kikuchi was in the sixth inning he began to cramp on his left side. Schneider and trainer Jose Minisral made two visits that inning to check on their Japanese pitcher, but on each occasion he claimed he was fine.

Kikuchi departed with the Blue Jays in front 3-1 before an appreciative 31,175 at Rogers Centre.

With the game deadlocked at 1-1, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. slammed a twoout single through the infield and into centre field to score Ernie Clement and Daulton Varsho. Guerrero went 2-for-3 with two walks.

“We executed our plan at the plate, and that’s been the key in the last four games,” said Guerrero, adding that he has benefited from roving instructor Edwin Encarnacion’s presence around the team the past few days.