Earned run
What is an Earned Run in Baseball: Understanding Pitcher Scoring
An earned run in baseball is a measure of a pitcher’s responsibility for runs scored during the time they are actively pitching, without the influence of defensive errors or passed balls. This metric serves as a purer gauge of a pitcher’s performance, as it provides a clearer picture of runs that result directly from the opponents’ skillful play rather than defensive mishaps. As baseball is rife with statistics, the distinction between earned and unearned runs becomes critical for evaluating a player’s effectiveness on the mound.
The key counting statistic used in calculating a pitcher’s Earned Run Average (ERA), earned runs offer insights into the player’s success over a season or career. To determine whether a run is earned, one must consider various scenarios such as defensive errors, fielder’s choices, and other instances that might lead to a run being scored. Essentially, if the offensive team’s efforts, in the face of competent defense, directly enable a run to score, that run is deemed earned.
Key Takeaways
- Earned runs reflect runs for which the pitcher is solely accountable, excluding defensive errors.
- They are central to calculating a pitcher’s ERA, providing an objective measure of performance.
- Discerning between earned and unearned runs is crucial for accurately evaluating a pitcher’s effectiveness.
Definition of an Earned Run
An earned run in baseball is a measure of a pitcher’s responsibility for runs scored without errors or passed balls during a game.
Pitching and the Earned Run
In baseball, a pitcher’s effectiveness is often gauged by the number of runs they give up that are considered “earned”. This metric is key as it reflects the runs that score due to the opposing team’s skill, excluding defensive mistakes.
Official Scoring Rules
Official Scoring determines whether a run is earned. The scorer follows strict guidelines:
- If a runner scores because of safe hits, sacrifice bunts, sacrifice flies, stolen bases, fielder’s choices, bases on balls, hit batters, balks, or wild pitches, the run is earned.
- Runs scored due to an error or passed ball are not earned.
- The scorer reconstructs the inning without the errors to decide if a run would have scored regardless.
Impact on Player Statistics
An earned run is a key metric that affects two significant statistical categories for pitchers: Earned Run Average (ERA) and Pitcher’s Game Score. These statistics are crucial in evaluating a pitcher’s performance and skill.
Earned Run Average (ERA)
ERA is a measure of a pitcher’s effectiveness, calculated based on the number of earned runs they allow over a standard game length of nine innings. The formula for ERA is expressed as:
ERA = (Earned Runs / Innings Pitched) × 9
To illustrate:
- Earned Runs: 20
- Innings Pitched: 90
ERA Calculation: (20 / 90) × 9 = 2.00
An ERA of 2.00 indicates that a pitcher gives up an average of 2 earned runs per nine innings. A lower ERA corresponds to better pitching performance.
Pitcher’s Game Score
A pitcher’s game score is a number that evaluates a starting pitcher’s performance in a single game. Bill James invented the metric, and the higher the score, the better the performance. The game score starts at 50 and is adjusted as follows:
- Add 1 point for each out recorded.
- Add 2 points for each inning pitched after the 4th.
- Add 1 point for each strikeout.
- Subtract 2 points for each hit allowed.
- Subtract 4 points for each earned run allowed.
- Subtract 2 points for each unearned run allowed.
- Subtract 1 point for each walk.
For example, a pitcher with a game score of 70 or above typically indicates a strong performance.
