Yu Darvish strikes out 14 in 7-1 win

Aug 1, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers catcher A.J. Pierzynski (left) and starting pitcher Yu Darvish (11) exit the field against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning of a baseball game at the Rangers Ballpark. The Rangers won 7-1. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports /

Yu Darvish is another galaxy when it comes to strikeouts from a starting pitcher, and on Thursday, he did a number on the Arizona Diamondbacks in order to remind everyone of that fact.

Darvish struck out a ridiculous 14 D-Backs in route to a 7-1 victory, and frankly, it seemed like he could strike out any of the Arizona hitters whenever he decided that he wanted to. In addition to the 14 K’s, the right-hander finished his 7 innings having allowed 0 runs (and just 5 hits) while walking exactly no one. Yes, 14 strikeouts to 0 walks.

If this was a one game fluke, it wouldn’t be as noteworthy, but when the MLB leader in strikeouts puts up this sort of performance, it is time to pay more attention. After Thursday’s action, Darvish now has 186 K’s on the season, and with a strikeout rate of 12.07 per 9 innings, he is firmly in the discussion to be the first 300-strikeout pitcher in over a decade’s time.

As far as Thursday’s result, the Rangers belted solo home runs in three consecutive innings (2nd, 3rd, and 4th), and with Darvish on the hill, that was that. However, the chance to watch an artist like Yu Darvish pitch in an era where no one even dreams of 300 strikeouts is a pleasure, and we should all take notice.

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