Expert: John Priest - 6/10/2009

Question
say for instance the home pitcher just finished the top half of the 7th inning
down 2-3, and with two runners on he is due up in the line-up. He is then pinch
hit for and the pinch hitter drives in both runs for the home team to take the
lead. Does he get the win, or since he was technically no longer in the game
when the lead was taking is he no longer pitcher of record?? thank you.

Answer
David,
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.

Thank You,
John Priest