Interesting Scorer's Decision

[Hammer755]

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.

(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;

Edit - Fixed bad link to box

[sporr]

Bad link, but I found it elsewhere. That is an interesting decision. The scorers usually don't give it to a pitcher who pitched only an inning if there was another pitcher that pitched a majority of the rest of the game. Though the 3 Ks helped him out in this regard I'm sure.

[jgross68]

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[BleedingCubbyBlue]

Originally posted by jgross68
atsors suk offishul scoerr chet cubz r00l!!11!!!!

[Karros270]

That's what happens when your mom is the score keeper. I used to see this kind of stuff a lot in little league.

[cooper_gd]

I saw it a few times when I was stringing and hung around the minors pressbox. The old OS there was a joy to talk to - been around baseball for years as a minor league OS and a scout for the Pirates. He did enjoy the "most deserving" rule. He hated giving a win to a guy who pitched a few innings, walked a few, gave up a few walks - a few runs - never lost the lead - but was mostly ineffective.

This same guy had a run in with Bing Douglas (I think) of the Michael & Kurt clan. Douglas' grandson - first pro at bat - hit a mediocre ball to short that the guy double pumped on before letting loose to first. Bang.bang at first called safe - ruled E6. Douglas stormed the press box but the OS just sat there an ignored him completely. Heh. Classic.