Intro:

Yu Darvish struck out three batters during two innings of work in his Cactus League (Arizona MLB spring training league) debut Wednesday.

Script:

It was the moment that most Major League Baseball fans have been waiting for all winter.

Yu Darvish striking out a batter for the Texas Rangers.

The 25-year-old right-hander threw 26 strikes out of 36 pitches as the Rangers defeated San Diego Padres 6-2 in the Cactus League on Wednesday.

And Darvish was pleased with his performance.

SOUNDBITE: Darvish (Japanese)

"First of all I was happy just to pitch in an game against another opponent.. I was happy with my four-seam fast ball, my slider was working well. Regarding the things that weren't working well, at this point of the season I don't even worry about that yet."

Catcher Yorvit Torrealba said he called for a wide range of pitches and Darvish threw them all convincingly.

SOUNDBITE: Yorvit Torrealba (English)

"I just wanted him to be comfortable out there. Like I said, I asked him before the game if he was nervous. He said no, but he probably was. I mean you've got 150 media in the stands. Everybody's expecting, waiting for him to pitch. He was probably a little bit nervous so I just wanted him to feel comfortable out there. Whatever I put down he was able to throw. Like I said, he looked really good out there."

Darvish became a sensation for Japan's Nippon Ham Fighters before the two-time defending American League champions spent more than $107 million to acquire him this winter.

His impressive spring debut signalled that the Rangers have made a wise investment.