Holland ready to wrap up rookie year

rsanrel — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:00:08 +0000

ANAHEIM — Derek Holland’s rookie season is about to come to an end

Holland makes his final start on Wednesday night against the Angels. He brings a 6.14 ERA into the game and since 1972, when the Rangers first played in Texas, that’s the 11th-highest ERA for a Major League rookie with at least 100 innings pitched.

But the Rangers still think Holland got much out of his first season in the Major Leagues even though he made just five starts combined at Double- and Triple-A before getting up here.

“Well, for starters, one of the best things is he knows he can pitch here,” pitching coach Mike Maddux said. “That’s something everybody has to overcome and realize, ‘Yes, I can pitch in the big leagues.’ He showed that.

“He’s definitely become a four-pitch pitcher, willing to throw any pitch in any count. There has been a fusion that comes from trial and error on how to use all his pitches over the course of the year.”

Holland won his most recent start, beating Tampa Bay, 8-3, on Friday. But he allowed three runs in five innings and is now 1-5 with an 11.17 ERA in his past six games.

“I just want to finish strong and on a good note,” Holland said, “stay positive and give it everything I have.”

Click here to read the full article – By T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com

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Holland ready to wrap up rookie year