CHICAGO -- The Dodgers have lauded the growth they've seen from Roki Sasaki over the past month and a half. But Friday night was a stark reminder that development is rarely a linear process.
Coming off a 10-strikeout, seven-inning gem where he put everything together in his finest big league start, Sasaki took a step back in a series-opening 8-2 loss to the White Sox at Rate Field, where he was charged with an MLB career-high seven runs across 4 1/3 innings.
After surrendering a two-out solo homer to Andrew Benintendi in the first inning, Sasaki was solid through his first four innings. But the fifth spiraled on him.
A leadoff walk to Tristan Peters followed by a base hit to Drew Romo set the table for the top of the order. Sam Antonacci and Miguel Vargas knocked in a run apiece. Sasaki struck out Benintendi for his first out of the frame, but then his command lapsed. The final eight pitches he threw were all balls, and he departed after walking in a run. Sasaki left the bases loaded for Blake Treinen, who allowed all of the runners he inherited to score.
It marked the first time since April 19 -- the start before Sasaki added the harder splitter that has been a big part of his recent success -- that the 24-year-old right-hander was unable to complete five innings.
In seven starts between then and Friday, Sasaki had seemingly found his groove. He went 3-1 with a 3.12 ERA (14 earned runs, 40 1/3 innings). He was reliably pitching deeper into games. The Dodgers felt more comfortable pushing him.
Friday was a clear step back, and Sasaki looked more like the early-season version of himself who was unpredictable every time he took the mound. But one clunker does not wipe away the gains Sasaki has made of late. The ingredients for success were there; Sasaki did not put them together the way he needed to against the White Sox.