Texas Rangers ace Yu Darvish shut down the Twins Saturday afternoon as the Rangers won their second straight over Minnesota, 5-0, Saturday afternoon in Arlington, Texas, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Darvish struck out 10 and allowed just four singles over eight innings as the Twins lost their fifth straight, and their 10th straight road game, according to MLB.com.
Twins starter Phil Hughes (8-4) was strong in the early going. He gave up single runs in the second and third innings but otherwise scattered eight hits through the first seven innings. But he allowed three runs in the eighth, and ended his day with six strikeouts, 11 hits and five earned runs.
Hughes was just one out shy of a complete game, but was pulled after 7 2/3 innings. Reliever Casey Fien came in to get the last out in the bottom of the eighth.
Hughes’ five earned runs tied a season high and marked the third time in five starts he has allowed that many, according to the Pioneer Press.
For Darvish (8-4), it was the fifth time this season he struck out 10 or more and the 25th time he’s done it in his Rangers career.
The Twins send Kyle Gibson to the mound Sunday afternoon as they try to avoid the sweep.
