Darvish strong start in Rangers' 14-8 loss to WSox

"His velocity was up, his stuff was just better," said new Rangers catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who faced his former team while catching Darvish. "He threw the ball really well and it was very encouraging to see. We talked in the bullpen and talked before the game about what he wanted to accomplish, and he accomplished everything that he wanted to and needed to."

Pierzynski, who spent his last eight seasons in Chicago before signing a one-year deal with Texas, had previously worked with the 26-year-old Darvish during an intrasquad game last week and in bullpen sessions.

After the Rangers committed more than $107 million to acquire Darvish, including a guaranteed $56 million, six-year contract, the pitcher's every move was chronicled and scrutinized last spring. Plenty of people are still watching, but not to the same extent in this camp.

"Compared to last year, I think my comfort level is really high," Darvish said through a translator. "Getting along and communicating with my teammates, I feel very comfortable with it this year."

Manager Ron Washington described this as a "relaxing spring" for Darvish.

"He's just being a part of things more," Washington said. "He doesn't stand out as much as he did last year, which is a good thing. That means he's blending in with the rest of his teammates. In that respect, it should help."

Nestor Molina and Brian Omogrosso, the first two White Sox pitchers, both had two shutout innings. Omogrosso is in the mix for a possible spot in the Chicago bullpen.

Chicago scored six runs in the third off 20-year-old Cody Buckel. The right-hander, the top minor league pitcher in the Rangers organization last year, walked five of the seven batters he faced.

Evan Meek, in Rangers camp on a minor league contract, allowed five runs and five hits and got only two outs in the fourth.