Can you get both a win and a save in the same game?
Alright guys, this one has nothing to do with the Twins, but bear with me. I’ve got a crazy question here, and I want everyone’s thoughs.
First, to the MLB rulebook, for Rule 10.17(b):
(b) If the pitcher whose team assumes a lead while such pitcher is in the game, or during the inning on offense in which such pitcher is removed from the game, and does not relinquish such lead, is a starting pitcher who has not completedNext, note that the judgment call part of the rule was actually exercised this week.(1) five innings of a game that lasts six or more innings on defense, or
(2) four innings of a game that lasts five innings on defense, then the official scorer shall credit as the winning pitcher the relief pitcher, if there is only one relief pitcher, or the relief pitcher who, in the official scorer’s judgment was the most effective, if there is more than one relief pitcher.
Now, the scorer has to use his best judgment to determine which relief pitcher was the most effective, not just which one came in first.
Imagine the following scenario:
Pitcher gets knocked out of the game before finishing the 5th inning, and has a 5-0 lead when he leaves (say it’s an injury).
The team rolls out one relief pitcher per inning, who each give up a single run in the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th innings. The team now has a 5-4 lead coming into the 9th, and they bring in their closer. He strikes out the side. (He clearly was the most effective relief pitcher in this obviously contrived scenario.)
Here’s my question: Is the closer rewarded with both a win and a save?
8 comments8 Comments so far
Leave a reply
what about the 3 inning save rule? If a pitcher comes in after a starter is knocked out early and he pitches the rest of the game and his team wins by 3 runs or less, wouldn’t this constitute a win and a save? or am I interpreting the rule incorrectly.
No, I think you’ve got it on the nose.
So those are two situations in which a relief pitcher gets both a win and a save.
(And yours is a whole lot less contrived.)
After doing some more digging through the rule book, I’ve discovered that it is in fact impossible to get both a win and a save.
Rule 10.19:
The official scorer shall credit a pitcher with a save when such pitcher meets all four of the following conditions: (a) He is the finishing pitcher in a game won by his team; (b) He is not the winning pitcher; (c) He is credited with at least a third of an inning pitched; and (d) He satisfies one of the following conditions: (1) He enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitches for at least one inning; (2) He enters the game, regardless of the count, with the potential tying run either on base, or at bat or on deck (that is, the potential tying run is either already on base or is one of the first two batters he faces); or (3) He pitches for at least three innings.
So rule 10.19(b) lamely states that it’s impossible.
I don’t like it, and it removes a bunch of potential craziness … but apparently they’ve already thought of this.
It’s unfortunate for my fantasy team, who could really use some W/SV double barrel action.
that is a lame, cop-out rule.
Yeah … I guess it doesn’t really matter though.
It was fun to think about though, I think. It’d be pretty cool if something weird like this were possible.
11-11! Where’s the entry!? We met our goal… we should all be happy!
Working hard (at work) at the moment … hopefully I have time to get a post out today.
Don’t know FunBobby’s status; he’s usually better at game-related posts anyway, but if there’s no post up I’m guessing he’s also bogged down with work-related delays.
But 11-11 without Mauer feels pretty good.
It only took a year and a half, but we finally have people who are disappointed when we DON’T make a post.
I’ll try to shoot something out this afternoon.
Stupid off days.