Roki Sasaki addressed reporters following his outing, focusing much of his remarks on the mechanics behind his recent pitching. He noted that observers have pointed out improvement in his splitter and other pitches recently, and he offered his own explanation for what has been changing.
Sasaki clarified that he has not altered his grip or his delivery style. Instead, he described a longer process of trial and error aimed at stabilizing his overall throwing form for his fastball, saying that this form has gradually been coming together. He suggested that this steady development in his mechanics is likely what is now showing up as a positive influence on his splitter and his other pitches.
Turning to a difficult sixth inning, Sasaki acknowledged that the sequencing of his pitches could have been handled with more care, though he declined to go into detail given upcoming games. He pointed out that the trouble arose as the lineup turned over for a third time, starting near the top of the order, and reflected that he might have benefited from resetting his focus and intensity at that point, similar to how he has managed such situations before.
Sasaki also discussed his splitter velocity, which reportedly reached higher figures during the outing. He said that even with the added velocity, the pitch retained its downward movement, which he viewed as a positive sign. He added that he was able to keep pitches up in hitters' eyelines effectively for much of the game, which he felt helped him pitch well through the first five innings.
Looking back on the outing as a whole, Sasaki said he was pleased with how he threw through the fifth inning, crediting himself for holding a clear mental image of his approach up to that point. He acknowledged that the sixth inning did not go as well and that the team's defense helped limit the damage to two runs, calling it a point for reflection rather than satisfaction. He said he intends to carry the lessons from the third time through the order into his next start.