Greg Holland was a slam-dunk, no-doubt choice for National League Reliever of the Month in April. He was a perfect 11-for-11 in save opportunities, leading the Rockies to a NL West leading 16-10 record. Holland stayed perfect in May and picked up his second consecutive NL Reliever of the Month award, despite a significantly lighter workload.
In May, Holland was 8-for-8 in save opportunities (and has added another in June for a MLB best 20 in total on the season). Rockies manager Bud Black had to call on Holland frequently in April, using him in 12 of 26 games for a total of 12 innings pitched. In May, Holland was still important to Colorado’s, but needed far less. Holland appeared in nine games, but pitched just 7.2 innings to earn his eight saves for the month.
Most impressive, however, was the lone earned run he allowed in the calendar month.
In April, Holland surrendered two runs on seven hits and five walks. He was even more dominant in all facets in May. In those nine appearances, Holland gave up just one run on three total hits and only one walk.
In April, he struck out 13, with a 1.00 WHIP. In May, he struck out 15 and had a WHIP of just 0.522.
Holland is in his first year with the Rockies after spending six years in Kansas City and a year out of baseball recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Entering Friday night’s game against San Diego, Holland and the Rockies are in first place in the National League West – tied with Arizona – at 34-22. It is the best start in franchise history, and Holland is the fastest Rockies pitcher to 20 saves in a season.