Roki Sasaki of the Lotte Marines pitched a perfect and record-setting game. Kyodo News

Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki, 20, throws 19-strikeout perfect game

By Adam Stites | Last updated Apr 10, 2022 10:51 AM ET

Roki Sasaki struck out 19 batters during a perfect game Sunday, making his showing arguably the greatest pitching performance in Japanese baseball history.

Sasaki, 20, led the Chiba Lotte Marines to a 6-0 win in Nippon Professional Baseball, Japan's top professional league. His perfect game was NPB's first since 1994, and his 19 strikeouts tied a league record.

ROKI SASAKI IS PEFECT!

9 IP 19 K 0 H 0 BB

The 20 year old has thrown the greatest game in NPB history

Tying the record for most strikeouts in a single game and becoming the youngest to throw a perfect game in league history!
pic.twitter.com/deHgD2hQfa
— Tom Mussa v2 (@tom_mussa_v2) April 10, 2022

"This is the greatest," Sasaki said after the game, 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 was the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NPB Draft and "routinely" tops 100 miles per hour with his fastball, per ESPN.

Currently, Japanese players must accrue nine seasons in NPB before they become eligible to reach international free agency.

Adam Stites

Adam Stites is a Southern California native who lives in a new state every three months. He’s perennially disappointed by both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Arizona State Sun Devils. His dog is named Ramsey after the best cornerback in the NFL

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