Tomoyuki Sugano kept doing exactly what teams hunting for pitching help want to see.
The Rockies right-hander worked 5 1/3 innings and allowed two runs in Colorado’s 5-2 win over the Brewers on Friday afternoon at American Family Field, a start that only added to his appeal with the Trade Deadline set for Aug. 3.
Sugano is on a one-year, $5.1 million deal, which makes him an easy fit for a club looking to add a starter without a massive financial commitment. If Colorado keeps him, his steady production will keep feeding a Rockies team trying to use the Deadline to raise its overall talent level. He is now 10-4 with a 4.69 ERA.
The outing also fit the pattern Sugano established in his rookie season last year with the Orioles, when he went 10-10 with a 4.64 ERA. He leaned on a wide mix of fastball-type offerings - splitter, sinker, cutter and four-seamer - and mixed in breaking balls when needed. Of his 93 pitches, 55 were strikes.
Milwaukee got to him early and late. Christian Yelich homered on the second pitch of the game, and Brice Turang added another solo shot in the sixth.
That pushed Sugano’s season total to 20 home runs allowed, though all but three have been solo homers. Beyond the two long balls, he gave up four singles, didn’t issue a walk until his final batter and struck out five.
Sugano said through his interpreter, Yuto Sakurai, that his years pitching in Japan came with plenty of attention.
“Every time I’d go out, I’d wear a hat, sunglasses and a facemask,” Sugano said through his interpreter, Yuto Sakurai.
Now, after two seasons in the Majors, he’s still drawing eyes - just from a different crowd. Scouts from other clubs are watching closely as the deadline nears.
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