Roki Sasaki (Chiba Rodeo Marines) topped out at 161 km/h in the All-Star Game. He fell short of breaking the All-Star Game record.
Sasaki pitched one inning of one-hit ball with two strikeouts and one walk for the Pacific League against the Central League in Game 1 of the 2023 Nippon Professional Baseball All-Star Game at the Banterrin Dome in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, on Monday.스포츠토토
The Pacific League All-Stars bothered Central League starter Shoki Murakami in the top of the first inning. Ko Matsumoto and Yuki Yanakita led off with back-to-back singles, and after Takeya Nakamura struck out, Ryoya Kurihara and Yuma Tongu followed with back-to-back RBI singles to make it 4-0.
In the bottom of the inning, Sasaki struck out Takumu Takano and Shogo Akiyama before giving way to Sheldon Neuig. He fired a 161 km/h fastball, but it was hit into center field. But he got Yusuke Oyama to ground out in front of the third baseman to end the inning.
In the bottom of the second, Sasaki went down. Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Orix Buffaloes took over the baton.
Sasaki topped out at 162 km/h in the All-Star Game last season. In 2014, he tied Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Angels) for the fastest fastball in an All-Star Game. He was hoping to break the record this season, but fell short.
In 12 appearances this season, Sasaki has been the Chiba Rodeo ace with a 7-2 record, 14 runs (13 earned) in 79 innings pitched, 17 walks, 121 strikeouts, a 1.48 ERA, and a 0.70 WHIP. He leads the league in ERA, strikeouts, and is tied for third in wins.