Sports

Yu Darvish Becomes the 3rd Japanese Pitcher with a Combined 200 Wins in NPB and MLB

Along with Yu Darvish, Hiroki Kuroda, who had 203 career victories, and Hideo Nomo, who earned 201, are the other members of the elite pitching fraternity.

Published

4 months ago

May 20, 2024

Ed Odeven

San Diego Padres starter Yu Darvish pitches in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves on May 19, 2024, at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Brett Davis/USA TODAY SPORTS)

Read the full story on SportsLook - Yu Darvish Becomes the 3rd Japanese Pitcher with a Combined 200 NPB and MLB Wins

Since he was activated from the 15-day injured list with neck tightness on April 30, veteran pitcher Yu Darvish has been at the top of his game.

On Sunday, May 19, the five-time MLB All-Star extended his scoreless innings streak to 25, which includes four starts since he returned from the injury. Darvish's San Diego Padres teammates provided plenty of support in a 9-1 road triumph over the Atlanta Braves.

The 37-year-old starter held the Braves to two hits over seven innings. He struck out nine and walked one batter in a dynamic 99-pitch performance. For Darvish, it concluded by retiring the final 13 batters he faced.

Most significantly, Darvish recorded his 200th career victory in the rout, becoming the third Japanese pitcher to reach that combined milestone in NPB and MLB.

Trailblazer Hideo Nomo, whose instant success with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995 ushered in a new era of opportunities for Japanese players in MLB, finished his career with 201 victories and a 123-109 record in the majors.

Hiroki Kuroda compiled a 79-79 record in MLB and amassed 203 total wins in his career before retiring in 2016.

Yu Darvish Shares Thoughts on Reaching 200 Career Wins

What does becoming the third Japanese player to win a combined 200 games in the two leagues mean to Darvish?

"I understand it's a big number, but it's still hard for me to comprehend it right now," Darvish was quoted as saying through an interpreter after the game, MLB.com reported.

Darvish, who has a 107-86 record in the majors, called it an honor to accomplish something that his two pitching compatriots first achieved.

"Those two other pitchers, Hideo Nomo and Hiroki Kuroda, obviously we know how good they are," Darvish said, according to MLB.com. "Just to be able to be a little closer to them, I feel honored and it gives me confidence moving forward."

Darvish is 4-1 with a 2.08 ERA this season.

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Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.