May 9, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano (19) is congratulated by teammates after being removed in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
ANAHEIM, California–What happened? The Orioles have come to depend on the steadiness of starting pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano. The Japanese right-hander continued his excellent rookie season at 35, allowing just three hits in 7 1/3 innings to help the Orioles end their five-game losing streak with a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels before 30,778 at Angel Stadium on Friday night.
Sugano (4-2) allowed a third-inning single to Jo Adell, a fifth-inning double to Luis Rengifo and leadoff triple to Yoan Moncado in the seventh. Moncado scored on Taylor Ward’s grounder to short.
He struck out five without walking a batter for the third time in starts of seven innings of more. It was the longest start for the Orioles in 2025.
After Sugano retired Rengifo on a grounder to second to start the eighth, Yennier Cano put his first two batters, Adell and Jorge Soler, on with a single and walk before striking out Zach Neto on the 13th pitch of the at-bat. Neto fouled off seven straight pitches before he struck out.
“Yeah, it was difficult, it was a long at-bat,” Cano said through a team translator. “Obviously it wasn’t going the way that I wanted to. But at the end, I won the fight, basically, and was able to get through the at-bat.”
Nolan Schanuel flied to center against Keegan Akin to end the eighth.
Félix Bautista recorded his seventh save with a scoreless ninth, and the Orioles’ clubhouse erupted in cheers.
“Things have not gone our way this year,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “We played really good baseball tonight, scored a couple of early. I thought we took good at-bats. We didn’t score a ton of runs, but I thought our at-bats were really competitive. I thought our guys were really into it, and you could hear that.”
The Orioles scored in the first two innings in ways they haven’t been producing recently. Gunnar Henderson hit his fourth home run with two outs in the first against Kyle Hendricks (1-4).
It was the first time the Orioles (14-23) scored in the first inning in their last 17 games.
In the second, Jackson Holliday and Emmanuel Rivera had RBI singles, scoring Ryan O’Hearn and Tyler O’Neill, who both walked. The Orioles’ productivity with runners in scoring position gave them a 3-0 lead.
Henderson’s ninth-inning triple scored Adley Rutschman with the Orioles’ fourth run.
How well has Sugano pitched? “He’s throwing the ball great,” Hyde said. “He’s got the art of pitching down, just the way he changes speeds and moves the ball around and super unpredictable. Keeps hitters off balance, played really good defense tonight. When we needed it, Tomo stepped up.”
Sugano said that Kyle Gibson spoke to the team after the three losses in Minnesota.
“Especially when the team is struggling like this, if I can get a good outing like this, I’m personally happy about it,” Sugano said through his translator. “If I can get the momentum going from today, yeah, I’m glad I’m able to do this kind of job.”
Sugano had eight groundball outs.
“I mean, he’s been awesome each and every start and even if he gives up a couple, he comes back and puts it right back where he wants it and always gives us a strong outing,” Henderson said. “So, it’s really credit to him and just his mentality and love playing for him.”
What does it mean? The Orioles’ clubhouse was extremely loud after the game because it was a relief to win after five straight losses.
“We just needed to get going, get a little fire up under us,” Henderson said. “And, yeah, felt like that happened.”
What’s the word? “It’s awesome, man. He’s a really great dude. He brings his own special energy so it’s really fun playing with him.”-Henderson on playing with Sugano.
What’s the stat of the day? Cedric Mullins is hitless in 15 at-bats.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Chayce McDermott allowed a run on two hits in four innings in Triple-A Norfolk’s 3-0 loss to Nashville. The Tides had only three hits.
First baseman Aneudis Mordán and second baseman Ryan Stafford each drove in two runs as High-A Aberdeen beat Jersey Shore. 8-6.
Catcher Cole Urman hit a three-run home run as Single-A Delmarva beat Myrtle Beach, 9-6.
Double-A Chesapeake and Portland were postponed by rain. They’ll play a Saturday doubleheader.
What’s next? Kyle Gibson (0-1, 14.09) will face Jack Kochanowicz (1-5, 5.79) at 9:38 p.m. on Saturday.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich,@BaltimoreBaseball.com
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