20-Year-Old Roki Sasaki Throws 19-K Perfect Game in Japan's Top League

The Orix Buffaloes were defeated by a perfect game by Roki Sasaki of the Japanese team.

This was not a run-of-the-mill perfect game. The 20-year-old struck out 19 batters to tie an NPB record and fanned 13 straight batters at one point.

The MLB single-game strikeout record is shared by Roger, Kerry, and Max. Wood only allowed one hit in his 1998 gem, but none of the three had a perfect game.

In 16 games with the Marines in 2021, Sasaki had 87 strikeouts and allowed 17 earned runs. Heading into this season, the right-handed pitcher will be on the radar of MLB teams.

Rumors linking him to a move to the U.S. will reach a feverish pitch after Sunday.