E-1

by Bloggy on Sep 16, 2009 6:56 AM EDT

I have a question that I had actually meant to ask awhile ago, but last night's game gives me an opportunity to do so now.

Gonzo's on second, Ells on first. Pedroia drops a bunt, which the pitcher, John Lackey (alias, That Meathead) fields and throws to third, trying to get Gonzo on the force. The ball goes wild and Gonzo scores. 1 - 0 Red Sox.

OK, here comes the question: Why is this an unearned run? I've always been of the impression that the pitcher doesn't "earn" the run because the baserunner wouldn't have scored if one of the position players had done what he was supposed to do. Basically, it's not the pitcher's fault the short stop @#$%ed up or some such similar, so it's unearned. But if it's the pitcher's error, well then it's the pitcher's fault that the run scored. As such, doesn't it seem logical that it's an earned run? Is there some sort of rationale for a run scored on a pitcher's error not counting as an earned run?

Am I alone in thinking that this doesn't seem right?

Tweet Comment 5 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Earned Runs are supposed to be representative of a pitcher's pitching abilities alone.

Not their fielding. Did they earn their run? Yes, they did. But on the other hand ERA is a pitching stat.

by Ben Buchanan on Sep 16, 2009 10:19 AM EDT reply actions

Okay.

I guess that makes sense. Doesn’t seem proper in a sense, but I guess from a strictly statistical standpoint it’s valid.

But from a pitching line standpoint, less so.

Thanks.

Man I love that tuna casserole.

by Bloggy on Sep 16, 2009 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions

That's why ERA isn't the best measure of how good a pitcher is

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Sep 16, 2009 11:29 AM EDT reply actions

Among other reasons.

But most stats are supposed to tell you how well he pitches, not how well he plays defense. If you wanted combine both, then you’re looking for Runs Above Replacement/Average (RAR or RAA) or, for smaller numbers, WAR.

@bs_uf15bosox9be The Original Gameday; Learn to use SB Nation

by bdalebs on Sep 16, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions