The rain delay before the game between the Rangers and Yankees likely gave fans in Japan a easier chance to watch two native sons battle in a classic pitching duel. Yu Darvish pitched seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits and striking out ten. Masahiro Tanaka lasted eight shutout innings, allowing three hits and two walks, striking out nine. The Yankees won the game 2-1 in ten innings on a walk-off single by Ronald Torreyes.

The start was one Tanaka needed:

The bigger victory was the possibility Tanaka had found himself.

“Just because of the way I’ve been pitching, it does boost your confidence a little bit,” Tanaka said through an interpreter. “But this game is over. After today, my mindset is for my next start.”

Even with the excellent start Tanaka’s ERA stands at 5.74. He has a ways to go to save his season.