Tomoyuki Sugano grew up wanting to pitch in an important game for the Yomiuri Giants.
The rookie right-hander joined the team to much fanfare this season, and in his first playoff start proved he was worth the wait.
Sugano out-pitched Hiroshima Carp ace Kenta Maeda, and Takayuki Terauchi provided all the support he needed with a three-run home run in the bottom of the third inning as the Giants beat the Carp 3-0 in Game 2 of the Central League Climax Series Final Stage on Thursday night at Tokyo Dome.