Roki Sasaki's Sixth-Inning Meltdown! Roberts Explains the Cause and Shares Ohtani's Return News

Los Angeles Dodgers' Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki started today against the Seattle Mariners, going 5.1 innings and surrendering two runs to secure his fifth win of the season—his second straight. Despite a flawless first five innings, his velocity and control simultaneously unraveled in the sixth. After the game, manager Dave Roberts revealed that the primary cause was a cramp in his right calf, and he praised Sasaki for showing much stronger confidence in the second half. As for Shohei Ohtani, who missed the game due to left knee discomfort, he is confirmed to return to the starting lineup tomorrow.

Through the first five innings, Sasaki needed only 73 pitches, allowed two hits, and struck out seven, completely dominating the Mariners' lineup with a fastball reaching 101.5 mph (about 163.3 km/h). But in the sixth, after giving up a triple, he lost his rhythm, allowed consecutive hits and a walk, and was pulled after giving up two runs.

Regarding Sasaki's sudden struggles in the sixth, Roberts explained after the game: "His first five innings were even better than his last outing against the Yankees. In the sixth, his leg cramped up a bit, which probably affected his pitching. Right now it looks like it's his calf."

In addition to explaining the reason for the decline, Roberts also praised Sasaki's recent growth: "I get the sense that since entering the second half, he has this confidence like, 'I'm going to pitch all the way from now until the end of the season.'" He added, "I often use the word 'conviction,' and right now, that conviction in him is very strong. So I think he's really in a good place."

Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani, who missed the game due to left knee pain, was still present and watched from the dugout. Roberts updated his condition, saying Ohtani just needed a day off and will start as the leadoff hitter in tomorrow's game against the Red Sox. Ohtani's bat has been heating up recently, going 3-for-5 with a home run—his 23rd of the season—over the previous two games, and he aims to keep his hot streak alive.