Dodgers manager Dave Roberts sounds off on Roki Sasaki’s poor start vs. Rangers

The Los Angeles Dodgers took a 5-2 loss to the Texas Rangers on Sunday, and once again Roki Sasaki struggled in the game. Rookie catcher Dalton Rushing went to the defense of Sasaki after the game, but questions about the pitcher persisted.

The questions on the poor start also led to manager Dave Roberts having to address the situation as well, according to SportsNetLA.

“The thing that stands out is he limited damage. Once he exited the game, we were still in a good position to win the game. That was important. He didn’t let it spin out of control,” Roberts said.

Sasaki had to limit damage immediately. He gave up a lead-off single to Brandon Nimmo before walking the next batter. He would then strike out the next three batters, leaving the two runners stranded in the top of the first, but he needed 22 pitches to get out of the inning. After getting a run of support in the bottom of the first, via an Shohei Ohtani home run, Sasaki once again was in trouble in the top of the second. He walked the first batter, and then gave up a one-out double to Josh Jung, but once again, no one scored.

“Looking at the lack of efficiency. I think that is something, with the stuff he had to day, with the six strikeouts, that sets up for going deeper into the game,” Roberts added. ” I think that if you look back at today and even a lot of his outings, you know, there’s some bad walks in there. You know, guys that you have to go after and force them to put the ball in play, and he’s been victim to that. So, once we can kind of get past that, then I think you’ll see a lot more efficiency out of Roki.”

Sasaki would go on to give up two runs in the third innings, before exiting after the fourth. He pitched four innings, giving up five hits and five walks, but struck out six while throwing 94 pitches. This season, the pitcher has given up 14 hits and ten walks in 13 innings of work. He is also averaging 20.15 pitches per inning this year.

Roberts has also made clear that Sasaki will not be returning to the bullpen when Blake Snell returns. The Dodgers will return to the diamond on Monday night, hosting the New York Mets, while Sasaki is scheduled to make his next start on Sunday on the road against the Colorado Rockies.

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