Expert: John Priest - 5/4/2009

Question
It was an away game, and our starting pitcher had pitched 7 complete innings. after 7 innings we were losing 4-3. in the top of the 8th we took the lead and a relief pitcher pitched the bottom of the 8th. doesn't the relief pitcher get the victory? It was argued that the starting pitcher gets the win becuae he was still the pitcher in the game when we took the lead, but doesn't he have to throw a pitch in the 8th inning to get credit for the victory?

Answer
Ryan,
I would check with you leagues rules first.  The Official Rules of MLB (Rule 10.17 b) states "If the pitcher whose team assumes the 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 completed (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 judgement was the most effective, if there is more than one relief pitcher". If i am reading this rule correctly than the starting pitcher gets the win because he was still in the game and pitched through 7 innings.  The relief pitcher would then get the win.  

Hope this helps,
John Priest