New York Yankees 2012 regular season review – Part 18
After securing a comfortable win in Game 1 of a three match series against the Texas Rangers, the New York Yankees were looking to continue the good work in Game 2 to take a decisive 2-0 series lead but the inspired American League West Division leaders
had other ideas.
Using their home conditions absolutely superbly at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas, the Rangers claimed a narrow 2-0 win over the Yankees to level up the series 2-2. Rangers’ pitching rotation played a big part in deciding the outcome of the clash as
they limited the powerful Yankees’ batting lineup to just two runs in a game that was played on an extremely competitive note.
Starting pitcher Yu Darvish led from the front as he pitched eight plus scoreless innings to ensure the Yankees had complete control of the situation. Striking out 10 batters, he created all sorts of problems for the Yankees’ hitters.
"After my last start, I mentioned my command is starting to come together. Stuff-wise, there wasn't much difference," Darvish said through his interpreter in a post game interview. "I still like to think that there's still more in me."
"He just keeps getting better every time he takes the ball. Tonight, he used everything he had, and he was effective, very effective. He's getting more and more comfortable," manager Ron Washington said about Yu Darvish. "He was pounding the strike zone.
That's what you have to do against that team. He threw everything but the kitchen sink at them."
Relief pitcher Joe Nathan also had a great time on the mound as he tossed 0.2 inning of relief to help his side complete a deserving shutout victory. Yankees’ starter Hiroki Kuroda was outpitched by his counterpart from the Rangers. The veteran Japanese
gave up five hits and two runs in just over six innings to take his third loss of the season.
Ian Kinsler provided the Rangers with an excellent start as he homered to left centre in the first inning. Josh Hamilton singled to right in the third inning to double Rangers’ lead to 2-0.
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