ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Yu Darvish is off to a rough start in his much-anticipated major league debut for the Texas Rangers.
Darvish walked Seattle leadoff hitter Chone Figgins on four pitches. Before Figgins hit into a first inning-ending groundout, the Mariners already had four runs and four hits.
Two-time defending American League champion Texas in January committed more than $111 million, including Darvish’s guaranteed $56 million, six-year contract, to acquire Japan’s top pitcher. Darvish was 93-38 with a 1.99 ERA in 167 games in Japan’s Pacific League the past seven seasons.
Darvish threw only 22 of his 42 pitches for strikes in his first inning. He walked three batters and had a wild pitch.
Even after that, Rangers fans stood and applauded, chanting “Yuuuu!” when he walked off the mound.
