In a start against the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (24) failed to hold the line, exiting after 5.2 innings without securing his second win of the season. In the second inning, Giants cleanup hitter J.D. Davis perfectly timed a new splitter with increased velocity, driving it into the right-center field stands. Sasaki managed to hold the Giants in check from the third inning onward, but with a 1-run lead in the sixth, he allowed a two-run double with runners on second and third and no outs, forcing an early exit. “My approach the first time through the lineup was good,” he reflected. “But I felt I needed more variety in my pitch selection the second and third times around.”
Sasaki’s four-seam fastball showed good life, reaching a season-high-tying 99.5 mph (approximately 160 km/h) in the first inning. His breaking balls were also steady. “I felt I had control overall and could mix pitches effectively,” he said, noting some positive takeaways. However, when asked about his ideal form, he rated himself harshly: “Still far, far from it.” With expectations high, Sasaki now stands at 1 win, 3 losses, and a 5.88 ERA through seven starts this season. “It’s been a tough stretch,” he admitted. “But even in that, there’s still a lot to learn. If my ability falls short, that’s the end. As long as I have chances, I’ll just keep giving my best.”
