Rangers scratch together four runs to take down Padres

During this rough start to the Texas Rangers’ 2017 season, the starting pitching has been about the only consistently reliable aspect of the team.

A.J. Griffin’s complete-game shutout Tuesday in San Diego was the crowning example of Rangers’ starters at their best through April and the early part of May.

Yu Darvish, the Rangers’ lone remaining ace with Cole Hamels on the disabled list, has so far taken to the void left in the rotation and lived up to the task.

He did it again Wednesday on a night without his best stuff. Like an ace should, Darvish turned in a quality start despite lacking dominating stuff. He shook off two early homers in the first two innings and gave his team a chance to…