Roki sasaki got his 5th win

Japanese outstanding pitcher in NPB, Roki Sasaki, gained his fifth win(5-0) to tie the top. Sasaki started the game against the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks as a starting pitcher at Pay Pay Dome on May 20. The righty gave up four hits, two walks, a hit-by-pitch, and a run, with nine strikeouts with 97 pitches over six frames. 

Sasaki retired hitters rationally to get rid of two times scoring positions. He said, "I could pitch as forcefully as possible, given me four scores in the early innings. It was hard to command well, so I couldn't pitch in longer innings. I will try to fix it by the next game. "

The 20-year-old annoyed the Hawks' hitters, mixing nasty split-fingered fastballs with 93 mph, breaking balls, and cutters. 45 of 97 pitches were fastballs, and 41 were over 100 mph. In the game, his average velocity was 100 mph as well. 

Sasaki graduated from the Ofunato high school in Iwate prefecture. The Chiba Lotte Marines selected him in the first round of the 2019 NPB draft. On May 16, 2021, he made his NPB debut against the Seibu Lions as a starting pitcher. His professional record is now 8-2 in his 19 appearances. Sasaki has left a vivid impression of throwing a perfect game to the world of baseball this season. 
(NPB No.57 KAISPO No.1186)