Shohei Ohtani sits out; Roki Sasaki lasts only 4.1 innings, leaves bases loaded, and teammates let seven runs score

Roki Sasaki, the Japanese right-hander for the Los Angeles Dodgers, had just thrown seven shutout innings in his previous start, a standout performance since coming to America. After a week's rest, he pitched on the road in Chicago, but against the White Sox he went only 4.1 frames, giving up seven runs—the most he has ever allowed in one game. The Dodgers lost 2–8, and Sasaki took his fourth loss of the year.

Sasaki retired the first two batters he faced, then faced Andrew Benintendi, who launched a 99-mph fastball over the right-field fence for a solo home run, putting the Dodgers in a 1–0 hole after the first inning.

The Dodgers' lineup answered in the top of the second. A walk, a hit, and a hit batter loaded the bases, and Santiago Espinal delivered a two-run single to left, giving Los Angeles a 2–1 lead.

Sasaki allowed one hit in each of the second, third, and fourth innings but kept runs off the board. However, the fifth inning turned into a complete meltdown. He walked the leadoff batter, then allowed two straight hits that tied the game. Miguel Vargas followed with a double to drive in the go-ahead run. Sasaki struck out the next batter for the first out, but then issued two consecutive walks and gave up more runs before being pulled with the bases loaded.

In the bottom of the fifth, Sasaki faced seven batters and retired only one, issuing three walks and allowing three hits. After he left with the bases loaded, reliever Blake Treinen gave up a two-run single to Chase Meidroth, then allowed a double that plated two more runs. The White Sox scored seven runs in the inning, six of them charged to Sasaki.

In total, Sasaki threw 91 pitches over 4.1 innings, allowing seven hits (including one home run), walking three, and striking out four. He was charged with seven earned runs, the most he has allowed in a single game since coming to the majors, raising his ERA to 4.76. His fastest pitch reached 100.7 mph (about 162 km/h).

As for the team's two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, he left the previous day's road game against the Pittsburgh Pirates early due to left knee inflammation. An MRI showed no structural damage, but the Dodgers took a precautionary measure by holding him out of today's game. He is expected to return to the starting lineup soon.