His earned run average (ERA) Saturday was 4.76, much better than his horrible 7.94 in his first game the previous week. But he is still whole leagues away from the 1.99 ERA that he averaged over his full career in Japan. It is against that stat that he is likely to be judged in the United States.
As in his first game, Darvish pitched 5 2/3rds innings before being relieved. This time he gave up nine hits versus eight in his first game, had only four strikeouts versus five in his first game and gave up the same number of walks, four. But this time, against the Minnesota Twins, he allowed only two runs versus five in his first outing.
“He was much better,” manager Ron Washington said. “He had much better command, It’s progressÖ. He’s certainly moving in the right direction.”
In the first game, Darvish had a wild first inning, then calmed down and did much better. This time, it was the reverse. He had a horrid last inning and was relieved with the bases loaded.
Darvish was not entirely happy. “I’m still going through the process and adjusting,” he said after the game. “If I was to come over here with no problems and no worries, putting up the same numbers as in Japan, that would make me a genius.”
Of course, the Texas Rangers paid $111 million to get a genius.
Darvish also showed he could play defense. He threw a wild ball with a man on third. As the catcher chased the ball, Darvish and the Twin’s player on third both charged home base. The catcher flipped the ball back to Darvish who tagged out the Twin to end the inning.
In the sixth inning, Darvish ran into trouble. The Twins scored the tying run with two out. That left a man on second. Darvish then hit the next batsman and walked the following one, loading up the bases. Washington then pulled Darvish. A pop out ended the inning without another score.
The Rangers won 6-2, their seventh win in nine outings.
