Texas Rangers’ Derek Holland excited after winning World Series Game 4 – MLB Update
Texas Rangers’ starter Derek Holland tossed 8.1 scoreless innings against St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of the World Series on Sunday, October 23 to blank the latter 4-0 and level the seven-game Fall Classic at two-games each at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington,
Texas.
Holland was desperate to pitch a complete game, but manager Ron Washington pulled his starter from the hill with one out in the ninth inning and employed seasoned closer Neftali Feliz to see the Rangers through safely. Holland allowed just two hits in this
stretch to hold an offensive line-up, which had annihilated the Rangers 7-16 in Game 3.
Talking about his performance after the game, Holland stressed that he wanted to redeem himself, especially after his performance against Detroit Tigers in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series. Holland pointed out that this was an important
game and a vital platform to prove his abilities form the mound.
Recognizing that the Rangers would have gone 1-3 behind in this series had he lost his start, Holland emphasised that he did everything that he could to win the game and that catcher Mike Napoli played a crucial role in determining the outcome of the game.
Holland added that Napoli called the game effectively and forced him to expose his entire repertoire against the Cardinals.
Holland gave Napoli credit for controlling his emotions throughout the game and cited a strong chemistry with the catcher a reason for this. He said, “You probably saw a couple times tonight he was telling me to square up. Especially in between innings there
was a couple times I'd throw the ball and I wasn't throwing it right where I wanted to. So he was keeping me in check basically.”
Explaining his talks with Washington, Holland asserted that his manager strictly told him not to hit the batters, especially after the team had lost against the Cardinals a day earlier. He continued that when Washington came up to him on the mound, he begged
his manager to allow him to complete the game, but he employed Neftali Feliz, as planned.
However, Holland was quick to add that Washington cares for his players and that is the sole reason why he forced him out of the game late in the game.
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