Don't let people tell you Yu Darvish isn't a true ace after his failed start on Sunday in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels.
Many people were probably saying those exact, stupid words on Sunday night after Darvish failed to stop a losing skid and drop the Texas Rangers even further out of the race for the postseason in an ever-evolving lost season.
The Rangers were swept by the Angels for the first time since 2008 after Darvish let the game get away in a hurry and finished after six innings, allowing five runs (four earned) — his second straight non-quality start and third in four times out.
It was the second straight outing that Darvish has struggled with his fastball control and the second time he'd allowed four earned runs after previously throwing his first career complete game back on June 11 against the Miami Marlins.
Instead of turning it around on Sunday night, he was torched again — at least by his lofty standards — and couldn't prevent the Rangers from dropping their fifth straight game to five games under .500 and 11 1/2 games out of the lead in the AL West.
It seemed for a while that the Rangers would be worth watching only every fifth day, when Darvish got his turn in the rotation, but his last two times through haven't even lived up to that. Hopefully for the Rangers' sake, he'll fare better next time out.
