Yusei Kikuchi throws six scoreless innings as Angels beat Pirates 6-1

Yusei Kikuchi earned his first victory of the season by throwing six scoreless innings as the Los Angeles Angels beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 in Pittsburgh.

Kikuchi allowed five hits and three walks while striking out six. It was his third start since returning on Aug. 23 from left shoulder inflammation that had sidelined him since late April. The 35-year-old, a two-time All-Star, had not won since his final start of the previous season, when he gave up one run over five innings in the Angels’ 3-2 victory over the Royals on Sept. 24, 2025.

Pirates starter Braxton Ashcraft struck out nine but allowed three runs on seven hits over five innings. The 26-year-old right-hander retired seven of his first eight batters and gave up only one hit over 3 1/3 innings before Wade Meckler doubled into shallow left field with one out in the fourth.

With two outs, Venezuelan Moisés Ballesteros hit a single that went under second baseman Nick Gonzales’ glove, allowing Meckler to score from second. Josh Lowe opened the fifth with a 410-foot drive to center for his 11th home run of the season.

Dominican player Denzer Guzman followed with a single to left, moved to second on Adam Frazier’s sacrifice bunt and scored on the first of Zach Neto’s three singles, giving the Angels a 3-0 lead. The visitors used defensive mistakes and timely home runs to secure the comfortable win.