On the other hand, the loss gave the Mariners a demotion in the AL West ... He became a lifelong Hideki Matsui fan after his exploits in the 2009 World Series for the New York Yankees.

Sugano held the Mariners to five hits, including a game-tying solo home run by Rowdy Tellez in the second inning, in a 90-pitch outing at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. He walked one and struck out five.

He returned to the dugout in 1993 and led the Giants to the Japan Series title in 1994 with Hideki Matsui, who eventually joined the New York Yankees. He also won the championship in 2000.