Roki Sasaki is finally becoming the pitcher in real life that the Los Angeles Dodgers first saw on video in Japan.
The 24-year-old right-hander didn't allow a hit through 4 1/3 innings and had a career-high 10 strikeouts over six innings in a 1-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night.
Sasaki notched his first career scoreless start after 18 previous starts. He threw 98 pitches, 72 for strikes, generating his second-best strike percentage of 73.5% in a start. He reached 100.4 mph.
"He went through some tough times and some doubts," manager Dave Roberts said, "but he's gotten to the other side. " Roberts sent Sasaki back out for the seventh inning to see how the youngster would respond in a scoreless game. Sasaki retired the side, striking out two. Sasaki was expected to be the next big thing coming out of Nippon Professional Baseball.
But he failed to crack the Dodgers' starting rotation as a rookie. His sad face and teary eyes in his U.S. debut was shown on Japanese television, triggering some unflattering reaction on social media and around baseball. Sasaki's poor body language on the mound tipped opposing hitters to a lack of confidence, too. He then missed 4 1/2 months with shoulder issues before returning as the team's closer during its postseason run to a second straight World Series.
But he arrived to spring training and walked 15 batters, again raising concerns about his ability to perform as a starter and shaking his confidence. Over the last month, however, Sasaki has built consistency thanks to a harder splitter that touches 90 mph and complements his fastball and slider as well as improving his command.
"There is an adjustment with the ball that he had to make with his grip," Roberts said. "You can see his demeanor on the mound. There's just no more doubt and uncertainty.
""I'm just doing small things all the time, and I just keep building on it," he said through a translator. The Dodgers beat the Angels on Freeman's sixth career walkoff home run after both teams had three hits apiece.
"Roki has really turned the corner here and it's fun to watch," Freeman said, "especially after last year grinding, coming back as a bullpen guy. He just looks great out there.
"are among a clubhouse full of teammates rooting for Sasaki to succeed on a team in which his fellow Japanese - two-way superstar "You can see the care factor, the drive he's got," Smith said. "It's good to see the benefits right now. "Who's winning the Los Angeles mayor race? See live election results belowSuspect who took 10 people hostage in California standoff has been shot and killed, police say
Please follow us on Google to support us News Mlb Los-Angeles-Dodgers Sasaki-Roki 19245322
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki back to 100 mph thanks to curated strength program (and Justin Bieber)When Dodgers strength coach Travis Smith first began working with Roki Sasaki at the start of last season, he quickly learned the phenom pitcher had a specific preference in the gym.
Read more »
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks - Live ScoreView the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks game played on June 04, 2026. Box score, stats, play-by-play timeline, highlights, odds & more
Read more »
Roki Sasaki is no longer lost in translation, finding his swagger and delivering winsDodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki says no one explained key cultural differences between Japan and the U.S. Mastering differences helped him relax on the mound.
Read more »
Roki Sasaki's 10 strikeouts, a harder splitter and a long-awaited breakthrough for the DodgersRoki Sasaki is finally becoming the pitcher the Los Angeles Dodgers hoped for
Read more »