LAKELAND, Fla. — Derek Holland warmed up on the mound with the bases loaded and no outs in the third inning Tuesday against the New York Yankees. He prepared to face Mike Tauchman, Tyler Wade and Rob Brantly — three left-handed hitters.
Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch needed a combination of strikes and weak contact.
The 34-year-old exceeded expectations. He struck out Tauchman looking with a 95.7 mph sinker, punched out Wade looking with another 95 mph sinker and then induced a weak grounder from Brantly to end the inning and leave the bases loaded.