Rockies' Tomoyuki Sugano shines in first Coors Field start

Veteran pitcher keeps Phillies off-balance in six-inning outing as Rockies earn first home win of 2026 season

Apr. 5, 2026 at 10:33pm

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Tomoyuki Sugano, signed by the Colorado Rockies to a one-year deal this offseason, made his first-ever start at Coors Field a memorable one on Sunday. The 36-year-old right-hander, who spent 12 seasons with Japan's Yomiuri Giants, kept the Philadelphia Phillies off-balance all day, allowing just four hits and one run over six innings to help the Rockies post a 4-1 victory and salvage one game of the three-game series.

Why it matters

Sugano's strong outing was a much-needed boost for a Rockies rotation that had struggled early in the season, and it provided a blueprint for how the veteran can help stabilize Colorado's pitching staff as they look to turn things around in 2026.

The details

Sugano, who led the Baltimore Orioles in starts (30) and innings pitched (157) last season, showed the same characteristics in his Coors Field debut, mixing his pitches effectively and retiring 10 consecutive Phillies at one point. He didn't have his best split-finger fastball, but he leaned on his slider and fastball to keep Philadelphia's hitters off-balance. Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer praised Sugano's performance, saying 'He was great. He mixed extremely well. He threw strikes, all of the things we were talking about what he does when we signed him.'

  • Sugano made his first-ever start at Coors Field on Sunday, April 5, 2026.
  • Sugano signed a one-year deal with the Rockies this offseason, after spending 12 seasons with Japan's Yomiuri Giants.

The players

Tomoyuki Sugano

A 36-year-old right-handed pitcher who signed a one-year deal with the Colorado Rockies this offseason after spending 12 seasons with Japan's Yomiuri Giants, where he won three Central League MVP awards and two Sawamura Awards (Japan's equivalent of the Cy Young Award).

Warren Schaeffer

The manager of the Colorado Rockies.

Mickey Moniak

An outfielder for the Colorado Rockies who hit two home runs in the game, including a solo shot in the first inning that kick-started the Rockies' offense.

Taijuan Walker

The starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, who gave up four runs over five innings of work.

Adolis Garcia

A Phillies outfielder who hit a solo home run off Sugano in the second inning, accounting for the only run allowed by the Rockies pitcher.

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What they’re saying

“He was great. He mixed extremely well. He threw strikes, all of the things we were talking about what he does when we signed him.”

— Warren Schaeffer, Colorado Rockies Manager

“I wasn't thinking too much about the environment per se. I was trying to keep the ball down, trying to get groundouts and punchouts.”

— Tomoyuki Sugano

What’s next

Sugano will look to build on his strong Coors Field debut in his next scheduled start for the Rockies, as the team continues to search for consistency from its starting rotation.

The takeaway

Sugano's impressive performance at Coors Field, a notoriously challenging environment for pitchers, demonstrates the veteran's ability to adapt and succeed at the MLB level. His mix of pitches and command will be crucial as the Rockies look to turn their season around and compete in the NL West.