Sako named ALPB Pitcher of the Week

HIGH POINT, N.C. – High Point Rockers pitcher Yuhi Sako today was named the Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week for July 7-12.

Sako, 26, made two starts for the High Point Rockers last week, posting a 1-0 record and a 1.29 ERA. He received a no-decision on July 7, leaving a tied game at Staten Island after six innings, having allowed one walk and five strikeouts. In his start on Sunday, July 12, Sako was perfect through four innings and allowed just two hits and no runs over eight innings. He struck out a career-high 10 batters and did not issue a walk. For the week, Sako fanned 15 in 14 innings, allowing just eight hits, two runs and a single walk while holding opposing batters to a .163 batting average.

Sako, who hails from Osaka, Japan, has been outstanding over the past month. On the morning of June 18, Sako was 2-5 with a 6.06 ERA. Since then he has gone 3-1 with a 1.875 ERA. The only Atlantic League pitcher with a better ERA over that time is Long Island’s Tanner Jacobson who owns a 1.21 ERA. Sako has thrown 34 innings, allowed 23 hits, seven runs, three earned, while walking just three and striking out 33.  Opponents have managed just a .192 batting average against him and for the season, Sako is now 5-5 with a 4.50 ERA.

The Rockers open a six-game homestand against the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars tonight at 6:35 p.m. at Truist Point. High Point will send former North Carolina pitcher and ACC Pitcher of the Year Kent Emanuel vs. the Boxcars to open the series.