Despite Impressive Outing, Holland Streak Ends

Entering Wednesday night's start in Oakland, a place where Derek Holland has succeeded throughout his career, the veteran lefty was on a remarkable, near-unprecedented streak.

Since making his season debut on Sept. 2 in Kansas City after a five-month stay on the disabled list, Holland had been remarkable, to an historic extent. The lefty, according to Elias Sports Bureau, was the first pitcher since 1900 to go at least seven innings, allow no more than one run and walk no one in his first three starts of a season.

A fourth straight such start? That would've been unheard of, yet that's what Holland was aiming for on Wednesday night in what ended up being a great pitcher's duel between he and Jeff Samardzija until the A's bullpen fell apart in the ninth inning and spoiled Samardzija's gem.

Holland walked three batters, so he saw that streak come to an end, but he was still pretty phenomenal and showed yet again that he will undoubtedly be a top-of-the-rotation type pitcher for the Rangers moving forward.

His final line saw him pitch 6 1/3 innings, allow four hits and just one run while throwing 112 pitches, so while his historic streak died, Rangers fans still have plenty to be excited about in Holland's brief, albeit highly effective season.

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