Yu Darvish struggled to throw his fastball on Tuesday against the Cleveland Indians, forcing the Japanese right hander to struggle through three innings.
In Darvish's second spring training start he needed 62 pitches, 12 more than the Rangers expected him to toss, according to manager Ron Washington.
Washington, a Wednesday guest on the Ben and Skin Show on Dallas' 103.3 (KESN-FM), didn't sound discouraged by the two earned runs allowed by his rookie starter.
"I was very pleased with what he did," Washington said. "That's an experience for him, and he'll learn from it. But we're very pleased that, No. 1, he got out of it healthy."
Darvish worked out of a third-inning jam by forcing Cleveland's Shin-Soo Choo to ground into a double play. Washington was pleased with the result because he wanted Darvish to "complete what he started."
"He's getting a feel for the hitters," Washington said. "[Tuesday] was just one of those days where he just didn't have the feel for his fastball. But he has other pitches."
Washington has obviously had a chance to spend some time with Darvish while working in Arizona. When asked for a brief review of Darvish, who Washington said would likely get three more spring training starts, the Rangers manager said the 25-year-old "has come as advertised."
"He definitely has a tremendous work ethic," Washington said. "He's fitting in well in the clubhouse. He doesn't complain about anything we do out there. He's been great."
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