Yu Darvish delivers ace-like performance – 7 innings, 0 hits, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Yu Darvish looked Monday like you’d expect a postseason ace to look.

“I think it is coming together,” Darvish said through his Japanese interpreter. “Today, I really felt good. I think it’s going in a good direction.”

For 5 2/3 innings in the Rangers’ 8-4 win over the Kansas City Royals, Darvish was perfect. And even when he finally wobbled a bit with two outs in the sixth, manager Ron Washington didn’t see anything to worry about.

“Today was his day,” Washington said. “He went out there and performed extremely well.”

Washington gave Darvish high marks for his cutter, sinker and breaking ball. The Royals didn’t have a baserunner until Johnny Giavotella walked on a 3-2 slider.

Darvish looked at the video afterward and agreed that it was ball four. He went so far as to compliment Giavotella for having the plate discipline to lay off the close pitch.

via Yu Darvish delivers ace-like performance – Dallas Texas Rangers Blog – ESPN Dallas.