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?