Tomoyuki Sugano pitched 4.1 innings as the starter, allowing 2 runs, and was hit by 6 hits including 5 long hits, one of which was a two-run homer.

Japanese pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano, who moved from the Baltimore Orioles to the Colorado Rockies this new season, made his final spring training appearance today against three-time Cy Young Award-winning legendary right-hander Justin Verlander. Sugano pitched 4.1 innings, was hit by a two-run homer, and allowed 2 earned runs. Although he faced fewer batters than Verlander, he allowed 3 fewer earned runs. In this game, the Rockies lost to the Tigers 8-11.

In the first inning, with one out, Sugano allowed a double to Venezuelan national team player Gleyber Torres. Then, with two outs, a sinker that was not mispitched was hit for a two-run homer by Dillon Dingler, giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead. After the homer, Sugano was hit by the second double of the inning, and he ended the half-inning with his first strikeout of the game.

In the second inning, with one out, Sugano issued a walk and then was hit by a single, allowing the Tigers to occupy scoring position for two consecutive half-innings. He ended the inning with a double play to avert the crisis. In the third inning, Sugano issued a walk and allowed a double, putting runners on first and third with no outs. After one out, he issued another walk, loading the bases for the Tigers, but then induced two consecutive line-drive outs to avoid allowing any runs.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Rockies' lineup had four consecutive batters reach base after two outs, turning the score around to 3-2. In the top of the fourth inning, with one out, Sugano was hit by his fourth double of the game, but again managed to avert a scoring crisis. In the top of the fifth inning, Sugano recorded his fourth strikeout of the game and then left the mound. In this game, he pitched 4.1 innings, threw 82 pitches with 51 strikes, issued 4 strikeouts and 3 walks, was hit by 6 hits including 5 long hits (one of which was a two-run homer), and allowed 2 runs.

Sugano has appeared in two preseason games so far, totaling 7.1 innings pitched with 5 strikeouts and 3 walks, allowing 10 hits including 1 homer, and giving up 3 runs with 2 being earned runs.