Expert: Andrew Senger - 2/10/2012

Question
Hi Mr. Senger,

   Consider the following situation: one runner on 1st base and one runner on 3rd base with one out.  Batter bats, tries to get to first base.  Runner from 3rd base gets home, and then a double play occurs putting out the runner from 1st base and the batter-runner, resulting in the third out.  Note here that the runner from 3rd base gets home before the double play occurs.  Does the run score?

Yours truly,

Mike

Answer
Mike,

The run would not score. Using Official Baseball Rules, Rule 4.09(a) states: "One run shall be scored each time a runner legally advances to and touches first, second, third and home base before three men are put out to end the inning. EXCEPTION: A run is not scored if the runner advances to home base during a play in which the third out is made (1) by the batter-runner before he touches first base; (2) by any runner being forced out; or (3) by a preceding runner who is declared out because he failed to touch one of the bases."

You'll notice Exception #1 states that a run would not score if the third out is the batter-runner being put out before he touches first base. This is exactly what occurred in your situation.