Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki, 20, throws 19-strikeout perfect game in record-setting performance

In a record-setting performance, Roki Sasaki had 19 strikeouts while throwing a perfect game in Japan's top professional league.

According to multiple Japanese media outlets, Sasaki recorded the first perfect game in the league since 1994 and the 16th in league history.

Sasaki tied the NPB record with 19 strikeouts against the Orix Buffaloes. He set a Japanese pro baseball record when he struck out 13 consecutive batters.

According to multiple outlets, Sasaki said after the game that this is the greatest. I put my trust in Ko Matsukawa until the end because I figured it would be ok if I gave up a hit.

Sasaki needed 105 pitches to become the 94th no-hitter in Japanese pro baseball history and the first since Aug. 15, 2020, according to Kyodo News. It was NPB's first perfect game in 20 years.

Marines manager Tadahito Iguchi told reporters there are no doubts about Sasaki's talent and also praised Matsukawa, the Marines' 18-year-old rookies catcher.

Iguchi said that it was a great experience and that Matsukawa did a good job with the bat. The two of them are very powerful.

Sasaki rose to prominence as a high school pitcher thanks to his high-velocity fastball, which drew interest from Major League Baseball teams before he signed with Chiba Lotte at the age of 18.

Iguchi said that having a game like this at an early stage of his career is remarkable.