Well, that could have gone a lot better for the Detroit Tigers.
Rangers vs. Tigers: Derek Holland Escapes First-Inning Jam
After jumping ahead of leadoff man Austin Jackson with two quick strikes, Rangers starter Derek Holland threw four straight balls and walked Jackson.
With No. 2 hitter Ramon Santiago offering a free out because Jim Leyland really really really really really loves scoring the first run of the game, Holland threw two pitches so far outside that Santiago couldn’t reach them. Ultimately, he slapped a single into right field, Jackson stopping at second base.
That brought up Delmon Young, who just a couple of days ago supposedly was so sore that he couldn’t play at all in this series. Now he’s playing, because the Tigers are just that desperate. So far, so not good: Young popped out.
More surprisingly, Holland got Miguel Cabrera on a weak grounder to first base and Victor Martinez on a weaker grounder toward the mound.
So after half an inning the game is still scoreless, but Holland threw 25 pitches and must be breathing hard right now.
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