Darvish shuts down Yankees to remain unbeaten
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Yu Darvish continued to repay his big-money signing when he outdueled Hiroki Kuroda in an impressive showdown between Japanese pitchers as the Rangers beat the New York Yankees 2-0 in Texas on Tuesday.
Darvish baffled his opponents with pinpoint control of an impressive array of pitches, from a lively fastball to a diving curve and deceptive change-up, continually changing speeds to keep the Yankees off-balance and improve to 3-0 on the season.
The 25-year-old, who signed a six-year, $60 million deal after Texas won negotiating rights with a $51.7 million posting bid to the Nippon-Ham Fighters, gave up seven hits in eight and one-third innings with 10 strikeouts and just two walks.
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Darvish was removed from the mound after giving up a one-out single to Nick Swisher in the ninth inning and received a standing ovation from the home crowd in Arlington.
Closer Joe Nathan promptly cashed in the final two outs with one pitch as he induced Raul Ibanez to bounce into a game-ending double play to help the Rangers improve to 14-4.
Putting on his best display since his arrival in the major leagues, Darvish did well to dodge one New York threat in the third.
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After Derek Jeter's perfect bunt loaded the bases with no one out, the Texas pitcher froze Curtis Granderson with a tantalizing curve ball for a called strike three and then enticed Alex Rodriguez to ground into a double play.
While Darvish remained unbeaten on the season for the two-time reigning American League champions, Kuroda dropped to 1-3 with the loss despite a strong showing.
The veteran right-hander gave up a lead-off home run to Ian Kinsler to start the game and an RBI-single by Josh Hamilton in the third inning.
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Kuroda went six and two-thirds innings, giving up five hits and two walks, while striking out five. However, the Yankees (10-7) were unable to back him up with their bats as they lost for the first time in five outings.
(Reporting By Larry Fine in New York; Editing by John O'Brien)