Tomoyuki Sugano improved to a perfect 3-0 to start the season as the Yomiuri Giants held off the Hiroshima Carp 4-2 on Thursday.
Sugano allowed two earned runs on six hits — including solo home runs to Ryuhei Matsuyama and Yoshihiro Maru — in 7-2/3 innings at Tokyo Dome.
Giants manager Tatsunori Hara's nephew struck out eight and didn't issue one free pass in the 108-pitch outing. Sugano credited the win to his batterymate and rookie Seiji Kobayashi, who backed him up with three hits in as many at-bats.