In an average start, a pitcher strikes out three more batters than he walks (5 to 2). On Thursday, Yu Darvish became the third pitcher in history to strike out 14 batters without walking any – THREE TIMES IN A SEASON. Only Anibal Sanchez has a single game with more strikeouts to walks (see table of top 20).

Darvish nearly threw a perfect game against the Astros April 2, and this was the second time he had struck out 14 Diamondbacks in one game this year. Only Roger Clemens (1997) and Randy Johnson (2001) had struck out 14 with no walks three times in a season.

The Rangers gave Darvish all the support he needed with three home runs in three innings. A.J. Pierzynski homered in the second inning, Mitch Moreland in the third, and David Murphy in the fourth. Darvish threw seven shutout innings before leaving with a comfortable lead.
The Rangers won 7-1 to pull to within half a game of the Cleveland Indians for the final playoff spot. Baltimore is also tied with the Rangers, while Tampa Bay has the first wild card spot by a four game margin. Here are the best 20 performances this season based on strikeouts minus walks, with strikeouts as the tie-breaker.

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Rnk Name Team DATE Opp Result BB SO SO-BB
1 Anibal Sanchez Detroit Tigers 26-Apr vs ATL Win 1 17 16
2 Yu Darvish Texas Rangers 2-Apr @ HOU Win 0 14 14
3 Yu Darvish Texas Rangers 27-May @ ARI Defeat 0 14 14
4 Yu Darvish Arizona Diamondbacks 1-Aug vs. AZ Win 0 14 14
5 Chris Sale Chicago White Sox 14-Jun @ HOU Loss 1 14 13
6 Jose Fernandez Miami Marlins 28-Jul vs PIT Win 0 13 13
7 Shelby Miller St. Louis Cardinals 10-May vs COL Win 0 13 13
8 Yu Darvish Texas Rangers 5-May vs BOS Victory 2 14 12
9 Adam Wainwright St. Louis Cardinals 13-Apr vs MIL Win 0 12 12
10 Clayton Kershaw Los Angeles Dodgers 28-Apr vs MIL Win 0 12 12
11 Dillon Gee New York Mets 30-May @ NYY Win 0 12 12
12 Eric Stults San Diego Padres 29-May vs SEA Victory 0 12 12
13 Felix Hernandez Seattle Mariners 17-Apr vs DET Defeat 0 12 12
14 John Lackey Boston Red Sox 26-Jun vs COL Win 0 12 12
15 Matt Harvey New York Mets 7-May vs CHW Victory 0 12 12
16 Stephen Strasburg Washington Nationals 24-Jul vs PIT Loss 0 12 12
17 Alex Cobb Tampa Bay 10-May vs SD Blown 2 13 11
18 Chris Sale Chicago White Sox 25-Jun vs NYM Victory 2 13 11
19 Justin Verlander Detroit Tigers 27-May vs PIT Win 2 13 11
20 Mat Latos Cincinnati Reds 23-Jun @ ARI Win 2 13 11