In a thrilling matchup on April 28, 2025, the Baltimore Orioles emerged victorious against the New York Yankees, clinching a 4-3 win at Orioles Park at Camden Yards. The star of the night was Orioles pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano, who delivered a stellar performance, marking his third victory of the season with a career-high eight strikeouts.
Sugano, 35, faced the formidable Yankees lineup, which included the reigning MVP Aaron Judge, who boasts an impressive batting average over .400 this season. Despite a shaky start, Sugano showcased his resilience. In the first inning, he found himself in a bases-loaded situation with two outs. However, he managed to induce a groundout from Anthony Volpe, escaping the inning unscathed.
After a shaky start, Sugano found his rhythm in the second inning, striking out Domínguez and Peraza consecutively. The crowd erupted in cheers as he displayed his prowess on the mound. "Every time I pitch, I make new discoveries, but one thing is that my sweeper has been getting better, and I think I was able to use my fastball effectively today," Sugano noted after the game.
In the third inning, Sugano continued to dazzle, striking out Goldschmidt and Tizama back-to-back, further solidifying his dominance. His splitter, clocked at 87.6 miles per hour, proved particularly effective, contributing to his impressive strikeout tally.
The Orioles' offense provided support as Ramón Urías hit an RBI double in the second inning, giving the home team a crucial lead. The momentum shifted further in the third inning when Ryan O'Hearn blasted a three-run homer, extending the Orioles' lead to 4-0.
However, the Yankees mounted a late-game rally, scoring a run in the seventh and two more in the eighth. Despite the pressure, Sugano's stellar performance kept the Yankees at bay. In the fifth inning, Sugano faced Judge again, who had already singled twice in the game. This time, Sugano struck him out with a nasty splitter, showcasing his ability to rise to the occasion against top talent.
With a total of 95 pitches thrown, Sugano completed five innings, allowing five hits, one walk, and no runs. His performance earned him a well-deserved standing ovation from the home crowd. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde praised Sugano's pitching, calling it a "lost art" in modern baseball. He emphasized the importance of Sugano's control and mix of pitches, which proved to be instrumental in navigating the Yankees' powerful lineup.
Hyde expressed his admiration, stating, "I thought he was outstanding. To face a lineup like that and have the ability to scatter pitches and mix speeds is incredibly impressive." Sugano's performance not only secured a win for the Orioles but also halted a three-game losing streak, bringing a much-needed boost to the team's morale.
The Orioles' closer, Félix Bautista, recorded his fourth save of the season, sealing the victory as the team celebrated a hard-fought win against their division rivals. Sugano's achievement of eight strikeouts marked a significant milestone, as he had only recorded nine strikeouts in his previous five starts combined.
As the game concluded, Sugano reflected on the importance of winning the first game of the series, stating, "I was conscious of the time in Japan, and I thought that winning the series would make it easier for the team to fight. If we lose the series, the next pitcher will absolutely not be able to lose, so the series win is important to me." His insights reveal his commitment to the team and desire to contribute to their success.
This victory not only boosted Sugano's confidence but also reaffirmed his status as a key player for the Orioles, especially against a team like the Yankees, known for their strong batting lineup. As the season progresses, fans will be eager to see how Sugano continues to develop and adapt, especially with his evolving pitching repertoire.
With this win, the Orioles improved to 3-1 against the Yankees this season, showcasing their potential to compete at a high level in the American League East. As the team looks ahead, Sugano's performance will undoubtedly be a focal point, and his ability to consistently deliver in challenging situations will be crucial for the Orioles' aspirations this season.
