Tomoyuki Sugano suffered his first loss since July after giving up a crucial 3-run homer to the Red Sox.

The 35-year-old Japanese rookie for the Baltimore Orioles, Tomoyuki Sugano, has had an impressive debut season in the Major Leagues. In his last seven starts, he remained undefeated and reached double digits with 10 wins. Today (the 26th), in a home game against the Red Sox, Sugano pitched fairly well but allowed two home runs, one of which was a decisive 3-run homer. Ultimately, the Orioles lost narrowly 4-3, and Sugano took his sixth loss of the season.

Sugano’s previous start was on August 20th in Boston against the Red Sox, where he pitched five innings allowing only one unearned run, performing excellently but without a decision. Returning home to face the Red Sox again, Sugano gave up a home run in the top of the first inning to the rising star Roman Anthony, marking Anthony’s first Major League homer in his debut at-bat. However, teammate Colton Cowser supported him well, hitting a solo homer in the bottom of the second to tie the game and then delivering a two-run single in the bottom of the third. The Orioles led 3-1 for a time, and Sugano was still in line for the win.

Unfortunately, the momentum shifted in the top of the fifth. Sugano immediately gave up two singles, and after one out, Jarren Duran hit a 3-run homer. Duran has reached base in 19 consecutive games, the longest streak in the Major Leagues this season. The Red Sox took the lead with that swing. Sugano pitched six innings, striking out six, walking two, allowing six hits, and conceding four runs, taking the loss. This was his first defeat since July 3rd. Additionally, Japanese player Masataka Yoshida faced Sugano three times in this game, managing one hit and one walk.

After the Red Sox took a one-run lead, their bullpen performed excellently, preventing the Orioles from scoring further. The 37-year-old Cuban fireballer closer, Aroldis Chapman, retired the side in order in the bottom of the ninth, earning his 25th save of the season. He has not allowed a hit in 13 consecutive games, setting a new Red Sox franchise record. Currently, Chapman’s ERA stands impressively low at just 1.06.