I think this may be the first time I've ever seen this. I was looking at the box score from last night's
Astros-Cubs game, and noticed that primary setup man Brad Lidge got the win, which I thought was odd since the Astros scored a few runs early off of Maddux before Pettitte had to leave with a bad elbow. Lidge has been scuffling lately, so I assumed that he had gotten demoted down the bullpen.
However, I looked over the pitching line, and noticed that he didn't pitch until the 8th inning, which is his customary spot. After some rudimentary math, I figured out that, according to standard practice, Houston reliever Mike Gallo should have gotten the win since he replaced Pettitte before going 5 innings, the Astros were winning, and they never surrendered the lead at any point during the game.
Obviously, if a starter doesn't go 5 innings, it is at the scorer's discretion to determine who gets the win. In this case, he employed the 'most effective pitcher' clause from the MLB rulebook. He was obviously the most effective pitcher since he struck out all 3 batters he faced and the other relievers gave up at least 2 hits each. Again, I think this is the first time I've ever seen it used.
Quote:
(c) When the starting pitcher cannot be credited with the victory because of the provisions of 10.19 (a) or (b) and more than one relief pitcher is used, the victory shall be awarded on the following basis:
(1) When, during the tenure of the starting pitcher, the winning team assumes the lead and maintains it to the finish of the game, credit the victory to the relief pitcher judged by the scorer to have been the most effective;
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Edit - Fixed bad link to box