Roki Sasaki strikes out 7 to earn his 5th win of the season; Dodgers win without Ohtani in lineup.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki started today against the Seattle Mariners. With Shohei Ohtani sitting out due to left knee soreness, Sasaki showed dominance in the first five innings, reaching a top speed of 101.5 mph and striking out five of the first nine batters. Although he was pulled early in the sixth inning after a Mariners rally, he pitched 5.1 innings, allowing 2 runs, and earned his 5th win of the season with support from his teammates, helping the Dodgers defeat the Mariners 6-2 and win the series.

Before the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed that Shohei Ohtani took a day off due to left knee soreness. "Shohei felt some pain in his knee. He received treatment after the last game, and we thought it was best to give him a day off," Roberts said. Despite Ohtani's absence, the Dodgers' lineup still provided timely offensive support.

In the first inning, Roki Sasaki issued a walk but successfully challenged a call using ABS (Automatic Ball-Strike system) to overturn it, recording his first strikeout of the game. He then settled in during the second and third innings, using his signature splitter to dominate the Mariners' lineup. He struck out five of the first nine batters, allowing only one hit, and his fastball reached 100 mph, showing strong dominance.

The Dodgers' lineup scored first in the opening inning when Mookie Betts hit a two-run double. In the fifth inning, catcher Dalton Rushing hit a three-run home run to extend the lead to 5-0.

However, in the sixth inning, the Mariners' lineup began to figure out Sasaki's pitches on their third time through the order. Leadoff hitter Cole Young hit a triple, and Randy Arozarena followed with an RBI single to cut the lead to 1. Sasaki then issued a walk, and with the bases loaded, he walked Cal Raleigh to force in the second run. The Dodgers quickly called for a relief pitcher, and the bullpen successfully escaped the bases-loaded jam without allowing further damage.

Sasaki pitched 5.1 innings, throwing 95 pitches, allowing 5 hits, striking out 7, walking 3, and giving up 2 runs. His ERA dropped to 4.64, and he left the game with the lead. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Teoscar Hernández added a solo home run, his ninth of the season, extending the lead to 6-2. The bullpen held on, and the Dodgers defeated the Mariners 6-2.

Sasaki earned his 5th win of the season, continuing his strong form from his previous start against the Mets where he pitched 7 innings and allowed 1 run. He has now delivered quality starts in two consecutive outings. The Dodgers won the series against the Mariners 2-1 and now hold a 69-40 record, firmly atop the MLB standings.