Part 4/8:
The pinnacle of his early career came in April 2022 when he delivered a perfect game against the Orix Buffaloes, achieving a record 19 strikeouts—a feat only a few have accomplished in Japan’s storied baseball history. His follow-up performance showcased further brilliance, with eight flawless innings against the Hokkaido Fighters.
Sasaki distinguished himself further by retiring 52 consecutive batters, significantly surpassing the previous record. His statistics at season’s end read an impressive 9-4 record, a 2.02 ERA, and 173 strikeouts in just over 129 innings. Commentators began drawing comparisons to legendary pitchers like Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson, elevating Sasaki to the ranks of potential future MLB greats.