ARLINGTON, Texas — Despite struggling in his major league debut Monday, Yu Darvish still wound up earning his first win.
The 25-year-old right-hander, who the Rangers acquired over the winter, needed 42 pitches to get through the first inning, allowing four earned runs in the process.
"When I stepped on the mound for the first time, I was very calm," Darvish said through interpreter Joe Furukawa. "Mentally I was very calm but my body felt like it wanted to go and go and go. I think at the beginning of the game my mind and my body kind of weren't on the same page."
After giving up six hits and five earned runs in his first two innings, Darvish settled in the third, fourth and fifth, helping the Rangers stay in contention until their offense exploded for an 11-5 victory over the Seattle Mariners.
Darvish went 5.2 innings, surrendering eight hits and striking out five while throwing 110 pitches.
"It was pretty much a battle all night," said Darvish. "I don't know if I was even able to [adjust]. But just knowing my offense, I thought whatever I had if I could just string those zeros together that they were going to answer for me."
The Japanese baseball icon signed a six-year, $56 million contract with the Rangers in January. To gain the rights to even discuss an agreement with Darvish, the Rangers paid an additional $51.7 million posting fee.
"I knew the strength or the level of the game over here," Darvish said. "I felt that from Spring Training. Being able to be out there and be my normal self, I think that's something that's going to come with time. All I know so far is pitching in Japan.
"I think as I continue to throw more over here at this major league level I think I'll get a feel for what normal is."
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