Yu Darvish continued to repay his big-money signing when he outdueled Hiroki Kuroda in an impressive showdown between Japanese pitchers as the Rangers beat the New York Yankees 2-0 in Texas Tuesday. Darvish baffled his opponents with pinpoint control of an impressive array of pitches, from a lively fastball to a diving curve and deceptive change-up, continually changing speeds to keep the Yankees off-balance and improve to 3-0 on the season. “It's a very nice outing, pitching against the Yankees and a performance like that,” Darvish told reporters. “They've never seen me before, so I look at it like we'll see as the season goes along. I'd like to think there is more in me.” The 25-year-old, who signed a six-year, $60 million deal after Texas won negotiating rights with a $51.7 million posting bid to the Nippon-Ham Fighters, gave up seven hits in eight and one-third innings with 10 strikeouts and just two walks. Indians 4, Royals 3: Derek Lowe allowed one run over six innings and the Cleveland Indians handed the Kansas City Royals their 12th straight loss. The Royals have been outscored 73-44 during the streak, which ties for third-longest in team history. Mariners 7, Tigers 4: Alex Liddi had a career-high three hits, including a solo homer, and the Mariners beat the Tigers. Orioles 2, Blue Jays 1: Tommy Hunter allowed three hits over six innings, Matt Wieters homered off the glove of left fielder Eric Thames, and the Orioles beat the Blue Jays. Rays 5, Angels 0: David Price pitched a five-hitter for his second career shutout, Tampa Bay homered four times, as the Rays beat the Angels. Athletics 2, White Sox 0: Pinch-hitter Kurt Suzuki doubled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning, Tommy Milone outdueled Gavin Floyd and the Athletics beat the White Sox. In another game Boston beat Minnesota 11-2.
