It’s Roki Sasaki Friday, and the 20-year-old had a run-of-the-mill start, going six innings and missing a lot, but also averaging 101.1 mph on his fastball as he matched up with Kodai Senga for the second time in two weeks.
After the game, Hawks skipper Hiroshi Fujimoto had some harsh words for Senga and regular catcher Takuya Kai over their lack of faith in the fastball, both of whom he yanked from the game after four innings.
In Hiroshima, Ryan McBroom went McBoom, while the Tigers and Giants played a wild one. Also, there was bad news for the Rakuten Eagles.
So let’s get to it, shall we?
Wakui kind of bent out of shape
The Rakuten Eagles found out Friday that they’ll be without right-hander Hideaki Wakui for about three months after he fractured his right middle finger in Wednesday’s game against Lotte. Wakui is 3-1 with a 2.88 ERA in six starts this season.
“On top of the crack in the bone, it was kind of dislocated, so I’m guessing it’s going to take a while,” Rakuten manager Kazuhisa Ishii said.
Friday’s games
Marines 8, Hawks 1: At Fukuoka Dome, Sasaki (5-0) struck out nine, walked two and hit a batter while allowing six hits. He had the best velocity of his career away from home, but often missed badly with all his pitches, and many of his forkballs in the zone flattened out.
The Hawks did little with those cookies, however. I suppose when the guy can blow gas past you, and that’s what you’re expecting, everything else might be a tough slog.
Continue reading NPB news: May 20, 2022