Who is the losing pitcher?

by Tom
(Rock Hill, SC)

Tom asked: Score tied, bottom of 9th or bottom of extra innings.

First batter reaches first by any means. Relief pitcher brought into game.

Second batter reaches first on a fielder's choice, first batter put out at second base.

Third batter hits a triple that scores the winning runner from first.

Since the reliever is not charged the runner who reached on the fielder's choice, does he still get the loss?


Rick answered: Tom,once the relief pitcher officially entered the game, he becomes the potential pitcher of record.

He was the pitcher of record when the batter-runner reached first safely on the fielder's choice.

When the next hitter triples, scoring the runner who reached first base on the fielder's choice, the relief pitcher takes the loss, as he was the pitcher of record at the time the winning run scored.


Yours in baseball,

Rick