Two out of four is unacceptable over the long haul, but it's too early to tell if that will continue as he becomes accustomed to American baseball. I don't think it will, but if he continues at that rate, well, I guess we'll need Phillip Hughes to be everything he is supposed to be.
But really, Igawa hasn't been any more "absolutely hammered" than Schilling in his other two starts, and Schilling is the ace (or co-ace) of the Boston staff. Giving up 7 runs in 4.0 IP against the Royals is worse than anything Igawa has done, and the Yankees killed Schill as well. But no one is talking about him being washed up. With that said, I would only expect a couple more starts like that from Schilling the rest of the year, and I'm sure he'll rebound quite nicely tonight against an Orioles team he has dominated.
My overall point is that it's too early in the season to make wide, sweeping judgments about players who have four career starts.
But really, Igawa hasn't been any more "absolutely hammered" than Schilling in his other two starts, and Schilling is the ace (or co-ace) of the Boston staff. Giving up 7 runs in 4.0 IP against the Royals is worse than anything Igawa has done, and the Yankees killed Schill as well. But no one is talking about him being washed up. With that said, I would only expect a couple more starts like that from Schilling the rest of the year, and I'm sure he'll rebound quite nicely tonight against an Orioles team he has dominated.
My overall point is that it's too early in the season to make wide, sweeping judgments about players who have four career starts.