Derek Holland pitched himself into the Rangers history books today. First off, his performance today. Darn impressive.
Complete game, nine inning shutout. Allowed just four hits (all singles), one walk, struck out five, and was helped by a double play. Total of 95 pitches thrown. Highly effective. Too bad I couldn’t see it. Heard most of it as I was driving around running some errands today. Only blip on his ledger is the one error the Rangers had was his own, a throwing error. But it didn’t affect anything. He was spectacular.
And about this history books. Check this out. Derek Holland has three shoutouts in the month of July. Four overall for the 2011 season, and is tied with Cliff Lee for the most in the majors this season. The last time a Rangers pitcher threw four shutouts in a season was Doc Medich in 1981. The overall club record is six, set by Fergie Jenkins in 1974, and tied in 1976 by Bert Blyleven. Given the way he’s rolling, it may not be unreasonable to think he could set the team record.
Checked into MLB records, and the Rangers were tied with Philly for 13 shutouts this season. If my numbers are right, with this win, the Rangers have taken over the MLB lead in pitched shutouts with 14.
As long as I’m wallowing in stats, the win by Holland gives him 10 wins. That ties him for the club lead with CJ Wilson, Colby Lewis, & Alexi Ogando. Matt Harrison is right behind them with nine himself. How long has it been since the Rangers have had five starters with 10 wins in an ENTIRE season, let alone at the start of August? Probably ages, if ever.
Anyway, the Rangers offense all came from the longball. Mitch Moreland hit a two run shot in the second, which is his first official home run off a lefty. He had one in that game that was lost to a rainout earlier in the season, though. The other was one by Mike Napoli in the 8th, a solo shot. We had seven other hits, including a double by Chris Davis in his final game as a Ranger.
But this one was pretty much all about Derek Holland. Loved that start.