ARLINGTON, Texas, July 22 (UPI) -- Yu Darvish and three relievers combined on a three-hit shutout Monday and the Texas Rangers whitewashed the New York Yankees 3-0.
Darvish (9-4), who came off the disabled list with an upper back strain before the contest, showed few effects from the two-week layoff, limiting the Yankees to just two hits over 6 1/3 innings.
The right-hander walked two and struck out four, staking the Rangers to a victory in the opener of a four-game series.
Robbie Ross and Tanner Scheppers combined for 1 2/3 frames of scoreless relief and Joe Nathan wrapped up the victory with his 31st save for Texas, which came into the contest trailing American League West-leading Oakland by three games.
Nelson Cruz socked a solo homer while Adrian Beltre and Geovany Soto each added an RBI for the Rangers.
Ivan Nova (4-3) was tagged with the loss, surrendering three runs on seven hits over seven full frames.
