MILWAUKEE — The roller coaster ride for Roki is set to return this Saturday.
This time, the Dodgers’ talented pitcher wrapped things up on a high note.
After a shaky start in which Aki Sasaki threw 35 pitches and surrendered three runs in the first inning against the Brewers, he managed to regain his composure. It’s a relief to see that kind of improvement, isn’t it?
Against the odds of a rough beginning, the Dodgers held firm, preventing any further scoring. In the end, they triumphed with an 11-3 victory.
“Even if we get hit hard early, we’ve got to keep pushing forward,” manager Dave Roberts commented. “It’s a clear sign that this young player is developing and grasping his role on the team.”
Sasaki’s performance wasn’t exactly pretty. His current ERA sits at 4.93 this season, which isn’t exactly stellar.
However, last week’s solid showing against the Angels seemed to steer him in a better direction during what’s been a challenging second season in the majors.
“There’s not much I could do in that first inning. We’ve got to fix it going forward and focus,” Sasaki mentioned through an interpreter.
Last weekend, he impressed by allowing just one run over seven innings while striking out eight. Yet it leaves some wondering—has he turned a corner as a major league starter? Or was he just capitalizing on a matchup against a struggling team?
On this Saturday morning, the early returns weren’t encouraging.
Just like Justin Robleski the night before, Sasaki seemed to go into survival mode quickly. He gave up a double to Jackson Chorio after hanging a fastball and watched Bryce Turan hit an RBI double off a split-finger fastball. This kind of batting was too much for a light-hitting Angels squad to handle.
It went downhill from there.
After hitting a batter, Sasaki’s throw to first base went awry, sailing past Freddie Freeman into the right-field seats for an extra base. You could almost see the frustration on him at that moment.
Following a walk to Gary Sanchez and a two-out RBI hit from Sal Frelick, Sasaki admitted, “We had a bit of trouble getting guys out.”
If it hadn’t been for center fielder Andy Pages cutting down Sanchez trying to advance bases due to a risky decision, Sasaki might have struggled even more.
But, once he got a bit of breathing room, the 24-year-old settled in.
He managed to stop two baserunners in the second inning and then went on to retire every batter he faced in three consecutive innings.
“Last year, getting through the first inning may have been tougher for him,” Roberts reflected. “But he pulled through and had four more scoreless frames. Sasaki exhibited growth, and I’m genuinely impressed as he learns and evolves on the mound.”
Eventually, Sasaki mixed his fastballs, sliders, and splitters effectively, moving away from traditional forkballs once again. This adjustment helped him gain better command of the strike zone. In his latest start, he tied his career-high with six strikeouts using his fastball. It’s been a challenge for him since joining from Japan last year.
Roberts noted, “We’re monitoring the batters’ reactions and making necessary adjustments.”
Sasaki has now pitched at least five innings in four straight starts, yielding three runs or fewer—a notable feat he didn’t achieve in his first five outings this season.
During this period, he posted a 3.91 ERA, with 21 strikeouts (four during Saturday’s game) alongside only five walks.
“I feel more confident,” he said, reflecting on how he handled himself off the field and his interactions with coaches. “You could see it in my rhythm and pace,” Roberts emphasized before the game, noting a lack of hesitation in his approach.
One significant change Roberts highlighted was Sasaki’s improving ability to throw strikes effectively.
Even after a rocky first inning this Saturday, he managed to steer his roller coaster season back on track.
