Associated Press Associated Press ADVERTISING ARLINGTON, Texas — Expectations for Yu Darvish were every bit as big as the contract he signed to move from his native Japan. He continues to meet and perhaps even exceed them. Darvish pitched 7
Associated Press
ARLINGTON, Texas — Expectations for Yu Darvish were every bit as big as the contract he signed to move from his native Japan.
He continues to meet and perhaps even exceed them.
Darvish pitched 7 2-3 strong innings and Adrian Beltre had a two-run homer to help the Texas Rangers beat the Oakland Athletics 4-1 on Wednesday night.
“He was very efficient and made them swing the bat,” Texas manager Ron Washington said. “Broke his cutter out tonight and moved his fastball around the zone.”
Darvish (6-1) gave up one run and four hits while striking out seven to win his sixth game in seven decisions and give a weary Rangers bullpen a rest.
After giving up a run in the first, Darvish settled down and retired 11 of the last 15 batters he faced. He lowered his ERA to 2.60. The Rangers committed more than $107 million to acquire Darvish.
Mike Adams struck out Johnny Gomes, who represented the tying run, for the final out in the eighth. Joe Nathan struck out the side in the ninth his eighth save.
“No matter what the situation, I try to throw as many inning as I can and go as long as possible,” Darvish said through an interpreter when asked if he was aware the bullpen needed some downtime after long man Scott Feldman’s spot start Monday, middle man Robbie Ross and a Alexi Ogando’s tireless work over the last week.
“I was able to throw with less effort,” Darvish said. “Getting taken out in the middle of the eighth is something that I’m not completely satisfied with.”
Craig Gentry and Elvis Andrus each had two hits, including run-scoring singles in a decisive fourth inning.
Gentry beat out an infield single to third to score Nelson Cruz.
Oakland rookie pitcher Tommy Milone (5-3) gave up four runs in seven innings, holding the Rangers’ offense down until the fourth.
“I thought he threw the ball extremely well,” Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. “And really, if we get the ball over to first base on the Gentry ground ball, it’s a 2-1 game.
“I thought, considering it’s his first time pitching here to that lineup, I don’t know how he could have done much better.”
The Rangers sent nine players to the plate in a four-run fourth inning that was started by Josh Hamilton’s infield single and Beltre’s home run.
Gentry and Andrus added run-scoring hits. Hamilton, who extended his hitting streak to an AL season-best 16 games, had two hits and a run scored.
Beltre has tormented Oakland pitching. His homer was his ninth against the A’s in the last two seasons.
Josh Reddick gave Oakland a 1-0 lead with a sacrifice fly in the first inning. He struck out in his next three at-bats.
“He has been as advertized,” Washington said. “He’s a strikeout pitcher, and he’s been that.”
ANGELS 7, WHITE SOX 2
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Albert Pujols welcomed his new hitting coach to town with a go-ahead three-run homer, Vernon Wells added a two-run shot and Honolulu’s Jerome Williams (4-1) won his fourth straight decision, allowing two runs and 10 hits over eight innings with five strikeouts and no walks.
RAYS 2, RED SOX 1
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Jeremy Hellickson pitched six solid innings, Luke Scott had a tiebreaking sacrifice fly, and the Rays snapped the Red Sox’s five-game winning streak.
BLUE JAYS 8, YANKEES 1
TORONTO — Edwin Encarnacion hit a three-run homer, J.P. Arencibia added a two-run drive and the Jays beat the Yankees.
INDIANS 9, MARINERS 3
CLEVELAND — Ubaldo Jimenez overcame a shaky start to get the win and the Indians pounded out a season-best five doubles for their third straight win.
TWINS 11, TIGERS 7
DETROIT — Jamey Carroll hit a two-run double in the sixth to give Minnesota the lead, and the Twins outlasted the sloppy Tigers, who made four errors in the first three innings.
ORIOLES 4, ROYALS 3 (15)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Adam Jones homered with one out in the 15th inning, lifting the Orioles, who improved to 5-0 in extra-inning road games.
Padres drop Dodgers
SAN DIEGO — Chase Headley homered, doubled and drove in three runs, and the last-place San Diego Padres rallied to beat the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2, helping left-hander Clayton Richard snap his personal five-game losing streak.
MARLINS 8, BRAVES 4
ATLANTA — Giancarlo Stanton hit a two-run homer and possibly saved two runs with a diving catch and improved to 12-3 this month.
NATIONALS 7, PIRATES 4
WASHINGTON — Adam LaRoche broke open a tight game with a three-run double for his 1,000th career hit after homering for No. 999 and Gio Gonzalez took over the NL strikeout by fanning 10 in seven innings.
PHILLIES 9, CUBS 2
CHICAGO — Carlos Ruiz hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the eighth inning and Philadelphia used Hector Luna’s first career grand slam to pull away.
REDS 6, METS 3
NEW YORK — Todd Frazier homered twice, Brandon Phillips hit a tying single off Jon Rauch in the eighth and Cincinnati beat New York.
CARDINALS 4, GIANTS 1
SAN FRANCISCO — Jaime Garcia matched his career high with nine strikeouts, David Freese hit a go-ahead solo home run in the seventh inning, and St. Louis won a a matchup of the last two World Series champions.
ROCKIES 6, D-DBACKS 1
DENVER — Jamie Moyer handcuffed Arizona at the plate and in the field, pitching neatly into the seventh and driving in two runs with an infield single.
ASTROS 8, BREWERS 3
HOUSTON — Carlos Lee had three hits, including his first homer since April 22, and three RBIs to back another solid outing by Bud Norris.
