SI.com · Apr 10, 2022
Pitching Phenom Roki Sasaki Throws First NPB Perfect Game Since 1994
There was history in the Nippon Professional Baseball on Sunday.
Roki Sasaki, a 20-year-old pitcher for the Chiba Lotte Marines, threw the league’s first perfect game in 28 years.
“This is the greatest,” Sasaki said, according to multiple outlets via ESPN. “Honestly, I wasn't thinking about the possibility [of a perfect game]. I figured it would be OK if I gave up a hit, so I just pitched and put my trust in [catcher Ko] Matsukawa right until the end.”
Sasaki, who is only in his second NPB season with the Marines, accomplished the feat in just his 14th career NPB game. His catcher, Matsukawa, is also young at just 18-years-old, making the combined age of the two less than 40.