Dodgers Edge Angels 1-0 on Freeman Walk-Off Homer as Sasaki Strikes Out 10 in Scoreless Start

Roki Sasaki pitched six scoreless innings, struck out a career-high 10 batters and did not allow a hit through 4⅓ innings as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Los Angeles Angels 1-0 on Friday night. 5 percent strike rate. He recorded his first career scoreless outing after 18 previous MLB starts.

Manager Dave Roberts sent Sasaki back out for the seventh inning in the scoreless game. Sasaki retired the side and struck out two more batters. "He went through some tough times and some doubts, but he's gotten to the other side," Roberts said.

The 24-year-old right-hander missed 4½ months with shoulder issues last season before returning as the Dodgers' closer during their postseason run to a second straight World Series. He walked 15 batters in spring training and struggled to secure a rotation spot. Over the past month Sasaki has improved his command and developed a harder splitter that touches 90 mph.

Roberts said the adjustment came with a change in grip on the ball. "You can see his demeanor on the mound. There's just no more doubt and uncertainty," Roberts said. 48 ERA over his past four starts.

"I'm just doing small things all the time, and I just keep building on it," he said through an interpreter. Freddie Freeman hit his sixth career walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth. Both teams finished with three hits.

"Roki has really turned the corner here, and it's fun to watch, especially after last year grinding, coming back as a bullpen guy," Freeman said. " Catcher Will Smith noted the change in Sasaki's approach. "You can see the care factor, the drive he's got.

It's good to see the benefits right now," Smith said. U.S. debut. "We all felt sorry for him," he said.