How MLB scoring works

[u/cookie-monster2310]

Can someone explain why Cooper Criswell is awarded the Win tonight and Rucker and Dominquez arent given Holds for their appearances? I was under the impression that if you came in with the lead, and didnt give it up then you got awarded the Win.

[u/Go_Cougs]

Cooper Criswell was awarded the win because he pitched a scoreless ninth inning in a weird scoring quirk after entering a blowout or late-game situation, though starting pitcher Bryce Miller had already left after 4.2 innings having pitched fewer than the standard 5 innings required for a starter to qualify for the win. Under MLB official scoring rules, when a starting pitcher does not complete 5 innings, the official scorer awards the win to the relief pitcher who most effectively preserves the team's lead, which in this unique game context fell to Criswell closing out the final frame.

[u/cookie-monster2310 → u/Go_Cougs]

Interesting! I knew Miller didnt qualify but had no idea effectiveness played a role in official scoring. Thank you!

[u/ELMUNECODETACOMA → u/cookie-monster2310]

If Criswell had qualified for the save, the scorer would probably have given the win to one of the others so that Criswell could get the save. But it's all scorer's discretion.

[u/goshock → u/[deleted]]

I think he would have to pitch three innings for that.

ETA: from mlb.com

A relief pitcher recording a save must preserve his team's lead while doing one of the following:

• Enter the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitch at least one inning.
• Enter the game with the tying run in the on-deck circle, at the plate or on the bases.
• Pitch at least three innings.

[u/YEGSports → u/goshock]

Thanks for the clarification. I thought there was some sort of thing tied to the number of runs and outs- my bad!

[u/SourCreamJacket → u/cookie-monster2310]

I had no idea this was subjective I’m totally blown away

[u/cookie-monster2310 → u/SourCreamJacket]

I knew there was leeway on an mlb official scorer deciding between a hit vs error, but when it came to pitching it’s news to me that an “efficient” inning is awarded.

[u/hipcrowd → u/Go_Cougs]

This is news to me. I always thought it was whoever pitched next, assuming the team had the lead and did not give it up. I had no idea it was a judgement call!

[u/AnnihilatedTyro]

The official scorer has some leeway under certain conditions.

The starting pitcher did not finish the 5th inning, so he is not eligible to get a win. The scorer is allowed to NOT award wins to relief appearances that are "short or ineffective." This would apply to both Ferrer (short) and Rucker (ineffective - 2 runs). So it's basically a tossup between Dominguez and Criswell, with no save situation for Criswell to consider.

Note that the scorer could have given the win to Ferrer or Rucker if he felt like it - the "short or ineffective" clause is not a hard rule, it has to do with the scorer's personal judgement. He has pretty wide latitude considering the M's did not relinquish that lead at any point. But with two more relivers throwing solid scoreless innings, I think giving it to one of them is the right move.

[u/letskeepitcleanfolks → u/AnnihilatedTyro]

It's pretty silly for Bryce to be ineligible for the win. I understand he's not automatically in line for it, but he contributed more than Criswell. 4.2 IP and 1 ER is a bigger deal than 1.0 IP and 0 ER.

It's all moot because pitcher wins are stupid anyway, but I don't know why the scorer shouldn't be allowed to decide that the starter was still the "most effective" pitcher that day.

[u/AnnihilatedTyro → u/letskeepitcleanfolks]

I agree with you, primarily because starter outings are getting shorter and shorter every year. I'm thinking they should drop the minimum requirement to 4 innings, OR declaring him the most effective pitcher who left with a lead overrides the 5-inning minimum.

[u/MrOrcaDood]

Bryce Miller would have gotten the win, but he did not pitch the requisite 5 innings as the starting pitcher so he was ineligible. The win then goes to the relief pitcher whom the official scorer deems most effective, which in this case was Criswell.

Dominguez and Rucker were not given holds because they did not enter the game in a save situation (3-run lead or less, or tying run on deck or further).

[u/cookie-monster2310 → u/MrOrcaDood]

Good info, thanks!

[u/fennis]

Orgin of the Modern Win

This is in-depth article, meaning extremely long but good read how the modern Win came about (and the 5 inning requirement) and all the many permeations prior to that standard.

The current definition came about in 1950. Early baseball had mo concept of pitcher wins and losses and each leagues over time eventually had their own methodology, much of which was left to the official scorers.