Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki makes honest admission after shaky start vs. Rockies

The Los Angeles Dodgers envisioned Roki Sasaki taking new strides in season two. But this season already witnessed struggles versus the Texas Rangers nearly a week ago. This time the Colorado Rockies rattled him on Sunday.

Sasaki stood on the mound for 4.2 innings. But surrendered seven hits total in the short time atop the hill. The right-hander who arrived to LA with much hype and promise allowed three runs, plus a home run against Kyle Karros:

4⃣4⃣8⃣ FT

KYLE! pic.twitter.com/a4x0Uo4rmT

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 19, 2026

Sasaki addressed the media speaking through his translator. He sent this message to Dodger Blue following his new letdown performance.

“In the long run, I have to do the things I need to work on,” he said via SportsNet LA.

"In the long run, I have to do the things I need to work on."

Roki Sasaki (4.2 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 K, 2 BB, 78 P) talks to the media after the #Dodgers fall to the Rockies, losing 9-6. pic.twitter.com/PJf1SGQfG8

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) April 19, 2026

Sasaki acknowledged the Rockies were aggressive early in the order. Though he got off to a fast start during the first inning. Sasaki forced two ground outs and a fly out in holding Colorado hitless. Seven of Sasaki’s first eight pitches were a four-seam fastball.

Troy Johnston cracked through Sasaki, becoming the first to gain a hit off him. Johnston blasted a single off Sasaki’s 96 mph four-seamer. Sasaki still got out of the inning without allowing a run.

He kept CR scoreless until the bottom of the fourth, when TJ Rumfield singled to right that drove one runner home. The Karros solo blast arrived during the bottom of the fifth, slicing the lead to 3-2. Edouard Julien tied the game up with his RBI single off Sasaki’s 95 mph fastball.

Manager Dave Roberts relieved Sasaki with Will Klein in the bottom of the fifth. But the Dodgers took their sixth loss of the year. This despite Shohei Ohtani shattering his on-base streak. LA will aim to avoid the three-game sweep on Monday with Justin Wrobleski the starting pitcher.

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