Earned Runs - Can someone explain this???

[PackLandVA]

In that crappy 7th inning yesterday here is what playe dout:

 

- X. Nady in right field

- M. Fontenot at second

- E. Caridad relieved T. Gorzelanny

- O. Cabrera safe at first on shortstop S. Castro's fielding error

- O. Cabrera stole second

- B. Phillips safe at first on second baseman M. Fontenot's fielding error, O. Cabrera to third

- S. Marshall relieved E. Caridad

- J. Votto walked, B. Phillips to second

- C. Zambrano relieved S. Marshall

- S. Rolen struck out swinging

- J. Gomes singled to shallow right center, O. Cabrera and B. Phillips scored, J. Votto to third

- J. Bruce grounded out to first, J. Gomes to second

- D. Stubbs singled to shortstop, J. Votto and J. Gomes scored

- R. Hanigan doubled to shallow right, D. Stubbs scored

- L. Nix hit for A. Rhodes

- L. Nix grounded out to third

 

 

 

I've checked a couple of box scores, and they each show earned runs charged to Marshall and Zambrano. But for the two errors, the Cubs would've gotten out of the inning after Rolen struck out without allowing any runs. So how are these "earned"??? Is there a difference between "pitcher earned runs" versus "team earned runs"????

[SouthSideRyan]

If Gorz finished the inning in the same manner, those runs would be unearned. When Marshall and Zambrano entered the game, the situation is essentially reset, the # of outs they have when they enter, is the # of outs that there "should be"

[PackLandVA]

So a pitcher can be charged with "earned runs" (in this case, Z and Marshall) whereas they are "unearned runs" for team statistics. Is this correct?

[grassbass]

So a pitcher can be charged with "earned runs" (in this case, Z and Marshall) whereas they are "unearned runs" for team statistics. Is this correct?

 

Correct.

[Guest]

So a pitcher can be charged with "earned runs" (in this case, Z and Marshall) whereas they are "unearned runs" for team statistics. Is this correct?

 

Correct.

 

I don't think that's the case.

[grassbass]

So a pitcher can be charged with "earned runs" (in this case, Z and Marshall) whereas they are "unearned runs" for team statistics. Is this correct?

 

Correct.

 

I don't think that's the case.

 

Yes, it is. A pitcher can be charged with earned runs that are unearned to the team.

 

Let's say that I start the inning and retire the first two batters. The next guy reaches on a error, which would have been the third out. I proceed to give up a two-run homer to the following hitter. Those two runs are unearned to me and to the team, since there should have already been three outs. Now, the manager takes me out and puts you in. Even though the team in still in "unearned run mode" for the remainder of the inning, you don't inherit that luxury. For you, it's a clean slate. Therefore, any run you surrender could potentially be earned to you but unearned to the team (depending, of course, on how those runs score off of you).

 

ETA: The official language can be found in rule 10.16:

 

When pitchers are changed during an inning, the relief pitcher shall not have the benefit of previous chances for outs not accepted in determining earned runs.

 

and

 

Rule 10.16(i) Comment: It is the intent of Rule 10.16(i) to charge a relief pitcher with earned runs for which such relief pitcher is solely responsible. In some instances, runs charged as earned against the relief pitcher can be charged as unearned against the team.

[Guest]

Strange. Thanks for the clarification, I didn't realize team totals could possibly differ from the sum of individual totals.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

In summary: The entire concept of earned vs. unearned runs is stupid and needs to be done away with. Actually, just do away with errors.