A little more than a year after earthquakes rocked Kumamoto, Tomoyuki Sugano had local fans rocking as he pitched the Yomiuri Giants to a 3-0 Central League win over the Tokyo Yakult Swallows on Tuesday.
Submarine right-hander Hirofumi Yamanaka (0-1), a native of Kumamoto Prefecture, survived one jam after another, allowing just two runs in seven innings despite surrendering nine hits. But with Sugano in impressive form, his quality start was not enough.
Sugano (2-0) didn't allow a hit until a leadoff infield single in the fifth. He surrendered three hits and two walks, while striking out six. Sugano also went 2-for-4 at the plate and scored a run before 13,276 at the city's hilltop ballpark, Fujisakidai Stadium.