The suspicion surrounding the abilities of Los Angeles right-handed Loki Sasaki comes after two volatile performances with his Tokyo and Stadium debuts.
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However, Sasaki silenced his critics on Saturday.
The right-hander retired 12 of the 17 batsmen he faced after giving up a single on his back after running in the first innings. This was the best start of Sasaki’s major league career so far, as he went on to do four innings for the first time.
The Phillies lineup was 0-6 against Sasaki’s splitter, and was deemed uncontrollable throughout his unique free agency process.
Sasaki’s final stat line against the Phillies: 4 strikeouts, 3 hits, 2 walks, 1 run acquired.
The Phillies led five innings with walks and singles, with manager Dave Roberts finishing Sasaki’s start in four innings. The deployed Star Reliever Anthony Vanda from the bullpen to limit damage.
Banda escaped from the jam without allowing him to run, but he wasn’t scared. The Phillies should have a sacrifice fly to the right, but infielder Bryson Stott was initially doubled with a Tescal Hernandez throw before catcher JT Realmuto reached the home plate and completed the double play.
Critics quickly appeared after Saga continued just 1.2 innings in the second start of the season, but rookie Phenom proved why he allowed this offseason so well on Saturday.
Will Smith has always believed in Sasaki, but the 23-year-old simply said he had to settle down.
“We’re totally confident in roki,” Smith said after Sasaki’s Stadium debut. “He calms down. He starts pitching better. He starts dominating the (strike) zone. He’s really good for us.”
Smith seemed right.
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Photo credit: Bill Streicher-Immagn Image
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