Texas Rangers Derek Holland first to allow ten runs this year

Texas Rangers starter Derek Holland doesn’t like the Blue Jays, and he’s sure not going to like them any more after last night.

This was Derek Holland’s first start against the Blue Jays since game 4 of the ALDS last year, when he gave up six runs on five hits and was pulled after just two innings. Toronto’s win sent them back to the Rogers Centre for game five, resulting in the infamous Jose Bautista bat-flip off Sam Dyson, and the Texas Rangers seeing their postseason come to a painful end.

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After the series ended, and Toronto moved on to the next round, Holland spoke to the Dallas Morning News and said just what he thought of the Blue Jays and Jose Bautista:

"He’s the most animated player I’ve ever seen. After watching him in the outfield cry about every single thing, it’s unbelievable. I don’t care if he hits a home run off me, that’s fine, I give up home runs, I’ve struck people out, I do all that stuff, it’s how baseball goes. But the way you do it — is he better than the game? Yeah, you lived in the moment, that’s great. You hit a home run? Yeah, you can pimp it. That’s fine. But the way he did it, I just think that one — that’s a bit much. That’s cool if you want to stare at the pitcher, because obviously the pitcher made the mistake. If it’s me, I made the mistake; you hit the home run?Cool, stare at me. I’m going to be the one that’s not actually staring at you, I’m going to watch and see how far you just hit it because that’s how I am. I like to punish myself by seeing that. But the way he did it, I don’t like it at all. I mean, personally, I don’t like him, either. Especially after seeing more about him during the game, and being out in the outfield and seeing how he complains about every single thing.It’s like, no matter what, if you throw anything close to the plate, and it’s a ball, it’s supposed to be a ball for him — no matter what. It’s like we can’t have any calls or anything like that, it’s always his way. I just don’t like that. I’m not a big fan of him."

His loss in Game Four and this eventual outcry came just days after Holland was caught wiping his rear-end with a Blue Jays rally towel while he warmed in the bullpen during Game Two. While this was probably just in jest, Toronto won’t let him forget it, as all the news outlets played it leading into last night’s game. Obviously, Holland has a spotty relationship with the Blue Jay faithful.

The Blue Jays would go on to lose against the eventual World Series champion Kansas City Royals, and entered last night with a 14-15 record and a handful of regulars still struggling to find their groove at the plate. They got on Holland early and often again in this one, getting to him for 11 hits including the Encarnacion home run.

Holland had been pitching quite well this season, coming into the match-up with a 2.48 ERA. It ballooned all the way to 5.40 after his short outing, with his K/9 dropping to a career-low 5.12. He’ll look to rebound next week against the White Sox in another tough one. Toronto comes back to Arlington after that, though at the moment it doesn’t look like Holland will have to face them.

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Vin Mazzaro, the last man in the Majors to give up 14 runs, also gave up a big number last night. He came into the game in the 5th inning against the Rockies after Matt Cain had already allowed two runs. He proceeded to give up 9 more while only getting a single out, as the Rockies scored 13 runs on 10 hits in the inning. The Rockies won the game 17-7, moving both teams back to .500 on the season.

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