SPORTS

Newark’s Holland Ks 11 for Texas in 6-0 win

STEPHEN HAWKINS

ARLINGTON, Texas – Derek Holland, a Newark High School grad, struck out every Baltimore batter while throwing a three-hitter for his eighth career shutout, leading the Texas Rangers over the Orioles 6-0 Sunday to complete a three-game sweep.

Holland (2-1), in his third start since coming off the disabled list, matched a career high with 11 strikeouts. He walked none and hit a batter with a pitch. The left-hander struck out each of the Orioles’ nine starters at least once, getting Adam Jones and Chris Davis twice.

The final out was a swing-and-miss by Davis on Holland’s 116th pitch, though there was a slight delay in everyone reacting as the bat helicoptered toward the right-field line.

At 68-61, the Rangers are seven games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 2013 season. Their 68 wins are already one more than all of last year — and they still have 33 regular-season games to play.

The Orioles have lost 10 of 11, falling 5 1 / 2games behind the Rangers in the AL wild-card chase.

Miguel Gonzalez (9-11) allowed four runs in 5 1-3 innings. The right-hander is 0-5 in his last seven starts.

It was the Rangers’ seventh shutout this season, and Baltimore was held scoreless for the ninth time.

Holland went on the DL after straining his left shoulder one inning into the home opener April 10. His previous shutout was Sept. 23, 2013, against Houston.

Texas started with three consecutive singles in the first before Adrian Beltre’s sacrifice fly made it 1-0. Shin-Soo Choo, whose single marked his 34th consecutive start since the All-Star break reaching safely, then scored on a wild pitch.

Beltre had a two-out double in the third, scoring when Elvis Andrus hit a single. Andrus led off the sixth with a bunt single and scored on Hanser Alberto’s single.