Sugano helps the Rockies beat the Royals 3-1 in game delayed at start by hailstorm

A member of the Coors Field grounds crew stands on... — A member of the Coors Field grounds crew stands on the tarpaulin as a storm packing heavy rain and hail sweeps over the stadium before the Colorado Rockies host the Kansas City Royals in a baseball game Friday, July 31, 2026, in Denver. Credit: AP/David Zalubowski

By The Associated PressAugust 1, 2026 12:05 am

DENVER — Tomoyuki Sugano allowed a run over 6 2/3 innings to win for the seventh time in his last eight starts and the Colorado Rockies beat the Kansas City Royals 3-1 on Friday night after a hailstorm delayed the start an hour.

Sugano (11-4) gave up five hits and matched his longest outing this season to help the Rockies end a four-game skid. He left after 83 pitches with Salvador Perez on first base, and Johnny Rave greeted Antonio Senzatela with a single to put runners on the corners. Josh Rojas flied out to left field to keep it 3-1.

Senzatela and Brennan Bernardino each got two outs and Jordan Romano pitched the ninth for his fifth save in five opportunities with Colorado.

Sugano has gone 7-0 since June 1 — tied with the Giants' Robbie Ray for best in the majors over that span. He is the first 11-game winner for Colorado since Germán Márquez went 12-11 in 2021.

Mickey Moniak had a one-out double off Royals starter Michael Wacha (5-8) in the first, and TJ Rumfield added a two-out single for a 1-0 lead.

Kyle Karros singled with one out in the fourth, advanced on a groundout and scored on a throwing error by second baseman Troy Johnston. Brenton Doyle doubled in his second at-bat following a 2 1/2-month stay on the injured list to make it 3-0.

Sugano gave up Carter Jensen's 15th homer with two outs in the sixth to cut it to 3-1. It was the 21st surrendered in 19 starts by the right-hander — 18 of them solo shots.

Colorado Rockies' TJ Rumfield follows the flight of his RBI... — Colorado Rockies' TJ Rumfield follows the flight of his RBI single off Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, July 31, 2026, in Denver. Credit: AP/David Zalubowski

Wacha allowed three runs — one earned — on five hits in six innings. He struck out seven, including a career-best five in a row.

Sugano went 10-10 as a rookie last season for the Orioles and collected his first major league win on April 5, beating Wacha and the Royals 8-1 in Kansas City.