Roki Sasaki Starts Strong, Struggles Late in Start vs. Rockies
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Roki Sasaki struggled towards the back end of his start against the Colorado Rockies on Sunday. Sasaki pitched five innings, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out two batters. The right-hander had a great start to the game, retiring the side in order in the first inning on just eight pitches.
He had similar success in the second inning, allowing just one base runner and getting out of the frame without any real issues. Sasaki’s third inning started with a baserunner as well, as Kyle Karros scorched a single into center, but a fielder’s choice followed by a double play got him out of that one as well. He found himself in trouble in the fourth inning, as the leadoff baserunners finally caught up to the young right-hander.
A single from former No. 1 overall draft pick Mickey Moniak followed by a hit by pitch put runners on first and second with no outs, and TJ Rumfield drove in a run with a single shortly after. Sasaki, with just one out, loaded the bases with a walk on the next batter, but managed to get Willi Castro to roll over into a double play to end the inning.
Another rough start awaited him in the fifth, as Karros capitalized on an inside fastball and crushed it 448 feet for his first homer of the season. Sasaki allowed a double and a single afterwards for his third run of the outing. He managed to get out of the inning without any further damage and made room for Alex Vesia afterwards.
The 24-year-old showed improvement in several areas in his start Sunday, the biggest of which was his avoidance of walks. He only issued one walk in the outing after giving out five free passes last week. Apr 19, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) pitches in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.