Los Angeles, California – One fateful night at Dodger Stadium will go down in MLB history as a moment of transcendence: At just 23 years old, Roki Sasaki made history by becoming the first player in league history to throw three consecutive perfect innings (7, 8, and 9) in a postseason series-deciding game – a record that never existed before.
In Game 4 of the NLDS – the deciding game that would see the Los Angeles Dodgers extend their conquest to the NLCS or face a do-or-die battle in Philadelphia – rookie Sasaki was chosen for the ultimate homestand. Instead of just one inning, he threw consecutive perfect innings 7, 8, and 9, preserving the team’s victory and rewriting postseason history.
“Oh my gosh, you’re talking about one of the great all-time appearances out of the pen that I can remember,” manager Dave Roberts exclaimed after the game. “Not only did he come from a difficult stretch of the season, but the fact that he came in, threw three innings and kept everything perfect shows an incredible fighting spirit.”
Sasaki not only finished the game 0 hit, 0 walk, but he also did something that no rookie has ever done – he became the first player in history to throw three consecutive perfect innings in a playoff shutout.
Last year, Sasaki became the most sought-after Japanese player in free agency history. But after being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, he endured a turbulent season with a shoulder injury and had to adjust his throwing technique. Now, after a difficult journey, Sasaki is becoming the Dodgers’ most formidable weapon.
In the postseason, he has made four starts, allowed just 1 hit and 0 walks in 5.1 innings, a fastball that exceeds 101 mph, and it’s that consistent throwing power that has cemented the confidence around this lineup. Behind the scenes, Sasaki has proven that the season is not just about technique, but also about maturity and fight.
Now, the Dodgers are in charge of their World Series ambitions, and Sasaki is the most solid foundation to build on. With each step on the field, he is opening a new, stronger chapter – a future that all 20-year-old stars want to live.
“We are witnessing something different – and Sasaki is just getting started,” Roberts asserted. “No player has ever done this, and the future shows that it is bigger than that.”
This is more than just a performance; this is a milestone that the world will remember forever. Tonight, at Dodger Stadium – where legends have made their names – Roki Sasaki has not only won. He has overturned the definition of excellence at such a young age.
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