Expert: Steve L - 5/4/2004

Question
Lets say the Cubs are on the road at Houston. They score 2 runs in the top of the first. Kerry Wood only pitches 4 innings. Kyle Farnsworth pitches the 5th inning and Troy Hawkins pitches the last 4 innings. The final score ends up being 2-0 Cubs. Who is the winning pitcher?

Answer
Wood, of course, cannot be the winning pitcher, since he did not pitch at least five innings.  See the following Rules:

10.19 (a) Credit the starting pitcher with a game won only if he has pitched at least five complete innings and his team not only is in the lead when he is replaced but remains in the lead the remainder of the game.

(b) The "must pitch five complete innings" rule in respect to the starting pitcher shall be in effect for all games of six or more innings. In a five inning game, credit the starting pitcher with a game won if he has pitched at least four complete innings and his team not only is in the lead when he is replaced but remains in the lead the remainder of the game.

(c) When the starting pitcher cannot be credited with the victory because of the provisions of 10.19 (a) or (b) and more than one relief pitcher is used, the victory shall be awarded on the following basis:

(1) When, during the tenure of the starting pitcher, the winning team assumes the lead and maintains it to the finish of the game, credit the victory to the relief pitcher judged by the scorer to have been the most effective;

In your question, the official scorer would most likely give the victory to Hawkins, who pitched four innings of shutout ball and was therefore more effective FOR A LONGER PERIOD than Farnsworth.