ARLINGTON, Texas -- Yu Darvish had a strong return from the disabled list, pitching 6⅓ shutout innings, and the Texas Rangers scored just enough to end a five-game losing streak with a 3-0 victory over the New York Yankees.
Darvish throws 90: Darvish threw only 90 pitches as manager Ron Washington pulled him with two on and one out in the top of the seventh. Darvish dominated the Yankees' depleted lineup before that, taking a no-hitter into the fifth inning. He lost it when Lyle Overbay led off the inning with a bloop single over the glove of Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre. Overbay had the other hit against Darvish, a single to right in the top of the seventh. Darvish was pulled after a walk to Vernon Wells.
Ross gets DP: Left-hander Robbie Ross, refreshed from the All-Star break, came on for Darvish and got Travis Hafner to ground into a 4-6-3 double play to end the seventh inning.
Rangers score in first: The Rangers scored in the first inning for the first time in 11 games. Ian Kinsler ignited the inning, leading off with a single and stealing second base. Yankees starter Ivan Nova was able to get two outs in the inning, but Adrian Beltre continued a hot month with a single to center field. The Rangers have now been outscored 48-25 in the first inning.
Andrus on the run: Elvis Andrus stole two bases, including swiping second after a one-out walk in the bottom of the sixth with the Rangers clinging to a 1-0 lead. After David Murphy grounded out to second, catcher Geovany Soto, playing for the first time after the All-Star break, produced a double to right-center field for a two-run lead.
Cruz goes deep: Nelson Cruz wasn't impacted by Ryan Braun's suspension for the rest of the season on Monday. Cruz, who like Braun has been linked to the Miami-area Biogenenis clinic, belted his 23rd home run in the bottom of the seventh for a 3-0 Rangers lead. Cruz's homer went 435 feet, according to ESPN Stats & Info, and was snagged by a Yankees reliever in the visiting bullpen. Cruz, who had two hits, has a team-leading 70 RBIs this season.
Up next: The Rangers play the second of four games against the Yankees on Tuesday night with right-hander Alexi Ogando (4-2, 2.93) facing right-hander Phil Hughes (4-9, 4.57) at 7:05 p.m. on Fox Sports Southwest, MLB Network and ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM. The rest of the series sets up as newly acquired Rangers right-hander Matt Garza against left-hander Andy Pettitte (7-7, 4.47) at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday night; and left-hander Derek Holland (8-5, 3.10) against Yankees right-hander Hiroki Kuroda (9-6, 2.65) at 1:05 p.m. Thursday afternoon.