SAN DIEGO — Roki Sasaki’s ongoing command difficulties resurfaced during the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 7-1 loss to the San Diego Padres on Friday night, as the right-hander was unable to record an out in the fifth inning. Sasaki struggled with control throughout his outing, issuing five walks—a season-high—and hitting a batter, overshadowing the three hits he allowed, including a pivotal three-run home run by Ty France in the second inning.
Sasaki’s troubles became apparent early. After striking out Padres leadoff hitter Fernando Tatis Jr., he surrendered two consecutive walks to Samad Taylor and Manny Machado, contributing to an inning loaded with free passes. While Sasaki managed a double play early in the fifth, his inefficiency pushed his pitch count above 80 before his departure, with runners on first and second.
“I actually felt different than I ever felt before, mechanically,” Sasaki said through interpreter Kensuke Okubo, citing unusual sensations in his lower body and acknowledging the need to review his mechanics in preparation for his next start. “I’m not going to have it every time out, so that’s something I have to improve,” he added, noting mixed success in executing his planned pitches.
Earlier in June, after a strong performance against the Los Angeles Angels that saw Sasaki hold them scoreless through seven innings, there was optimism about his progression. However, the last three starts have brought setbacks, including a seven-run outing against the Chicago White Sox two weeks ago, with Sasaki unable to pitch past the sixth inning in any of these games.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed surprise at the recent struggles considering the momentum Sasaki had built, stating, “Hopefully we can get him back to throwing the way he did in May.” Roberts pointed to the mechanical issues as a key factor affecting Sasaki’s control and pitch execution. “But I do think that we can kind of tackle the mechanical things that he’s probably looking for right now.”
Defensively, Sasaki’s only clean inning came in the third, aided by catcher Dalton Rushing’s successful challenge that overturned a walk, converting it into a strikeout against Tatis. Despite these moments, the Padres capitalized on free passes and timely hitting, including France’s fly ball over the left-field wall.
The Padres extended their advantage with additional scoring in the eighth inning against Dodgers reliever Jonathan Hernández, fueled by a vociferous, sellout home crowd chanting “Beat L.A.!” Meanwhile, Mookie Betts hit his second home run in as many games, off former Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler, who earned the win with 5 1/3 innings pitched and five strikeouts.
Roberts highlighted Buehler’s effectiveness, noting his diversified pitching arsenal, including cutters, sliders, changeups, and two-seamers. “He’s reinventing himself,” Roberts said.
The Dodgers struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities, going 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position and failing to convert a bases-loaded chance with one out in the sixth after Buehler exited. Despite the loss, the Dodgers’ large division lead remained intact; the Padres entered Saturday trailing by eight games in second place.