Sasaki Saves the Day for Mariners

Kazuhiro Sasaki knew he was taking a gamble when he decided to pitch in the major leagues at 32.

Japan’s career saves leader wasn’t sure he would be the same pitcher for the Seattle Mariners that he was for Yokohama in the Central League.

“I just wanted to do the best I could,” he said. “And that’s what’s happened.”

Sasaki’s best has been good enough. Entering Friday’s games, he was tied for fifth in the American League with 32 saves, six behind the league-leading total of Detroit’s Todd Jones and an AL record for a rookie closer, four short of Todd Worrell’s major league mark.

After the season, Sasaki has a good chance at becoming AL Rookie of the Year.

“Anybody would love to get an honor like that,” Sasaki said through interpreter Allen Turner. “But I’m more worried about the division. If we win our division and get into the playoffs, the honors will come after that.”

Sasaki, who has blown just three save chances, pitched two scoreless innings Wednesday night, the longest he’s gone in a major league game, leaving the Mariners with a two-game lead over Oakland in the AL West.

He has set a Mariners’ record with 15 consecutive saves this year and is one short of tying the team record for saves in a season.

Manager Lou Piniella knew after watching Sasaki in spring training -- when Sasaki took away Jose Mesa’s job as the team’s closer -- that the Mariners had imported something special.

“All his experience pitching in Japan is paying big dividends here,” Piniella said. “He doesn’t get rattled out on the mound.”

Instead, major league hitters get rattled when they see Sasaki’s forkball.

“At times, it’s unhittable,” Piniella said.

“I’m very confident if it drops, it won’t get hit,” Sasaki said. “But if it doesn’t drop, there’s a possibility of it being hit for a home run.”

Signed to a two-year contract last Dec. 18 that is paying him $4 million this season, Sasaki is a big hero in Japan, where he compiled 229 saves in 10 seasons for Yokohama and was a six-time All-Star.

He’s probably the second most popular pitcher in his country after Detroit’s Hideo Nomo, the 1995 NL Rookie of the Year with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“I really didn’t look at what Nomo did,” Sasaki said. “But I had accomplished all I wanted to do in Japan and I decided to give baseball a try over here.”

Going into the road trip that began in Baltimore on Friday night, Sasaki was 2-5 with a 3.42 ERA in 58 games. In 55 1-3 innings, he allowed 10 home runs, struck out 70 and walked 26.

“As long as he locates his fastball, he’s really tough,” Mariners pitching coach Bryan Price said. “It’s important for him to get ahead in the count. If he gets behind, he’s got to be extra careful.”

Sasaki had an operation in August 1999 to remove bone chips from his right elbow. Early this season, he was still recovering from the procedure. His velocity, 88-91 mph in the spring, is up to 90-93 mph.

“It’s been a year since the surgery now,” Sasaki said. “I’m a lot stronger. I’m throwing the ball a lot better now than April. It’s getting better and better.”

Although his English is limited, Sasaki has fit in well in the Mariners’ clubhouse. He’s friendly and outgoing, something his new teammates appreciate. He goes out and has beers with other Mariners after games. He’s even sung karaoke with them and they testify he has a good voice.

“He’s a lot of fun and he’s got a great sense of humor,” Seattle’s Jay Buhner said. “He blends in very well. He’s a pretty good dude. You know, what he’s done isn’t easy. It’s tough going from the National League to the American League and vice versa. Can you imagine going from one country to another?”