I’m pretty sure the only discretion the scorer has in awarding a win to a pitcher other than the pitcher of record when the final lead was established is if that pitcher pitches “briefly and ineffectively” and a later pitcher pitches well in preserving the victory.
I first learned this way back when Frank Funk came in to pitch for the Indians and gave up a grand slam before getting the team out. The Indians took back the lead in their next at bats and Funk didn’t get the win.
Something like that happened to the Cubs this season. Their closer at the time of the game, Ryan Pressly, came into the game with the Cubs leading 13-11 in a brutally ugly game that saw Arizona score 10 runs in the 8th inning. He was the most effective Chicago pitcher that day, and was given the win instead of a save.
Story with more detail can be found here.
That may validate what I posted, as the pitcher of record when the Cubs took the lead (Roberts) had given up a grand slam that allowed AZ to take the lead in the top of the 8th, before he recorded the final out of the inning.
Roberts had indeed pitched “briefly and ineffectively”.
Rule 10.19 (c) 4
(4) The winning relief pitcher shall be the one who is the pitcher of record when his team assumes the lead and maintains it to the finish of the game.
EXCEPTION: Do not credit a victory to a relief pitcher who is ineffective in a brief appearance, when a succeeding relief pitcher pitches effectively in helping his team maintain the lead. In such cases, credit the succeeding relief pitcher with the victory.
The Rockies have won three in a row, upping their record to 16-57, a .219 winning percentage.
Meanwhile, the Yankees have lost five in a row and were shut out in the last three of those games. Aaron Judge is 3 for his last 24, but is still hitting .372.
I still don’t grasp how the Jays are 40-33 and just two games out of first and don’t believe they’re really that good. Fun to see them win though.
Addison Barger is certainly impressing.
Red Sox vs Giants tomorrow which should be interesting given the trade. It’s the MLB TV free game of the day for tomorrow night
If they could play the Nats every day, they’d go to the World Series.
Jac Caglianone, KC’s top hitting prospect, has struggled since being called up a couple of weeks ago. But today he hit his first two MLB homers, as the Royals swept the Rangers in a 3-game series. The sweep came after KC lost all six games in a recent homestand.
Sammy Sosa returns to Wrigley today.
A Friday afternoon game against the non rival Mariners means the friendliest possible welcome back as it’ll be a ton of tourists and infrequent Cubs fans today
A couple of interesting stats today
Angels manager Ron Washington stepping away indefinitely for health reasons
Angels have been interesting to watch so far this season, usually hanging around .500
It is a scorching hot day at Wrigley and the Cubs seem like they want to choke away a 9-1 lead against the Mariners.
You can’t blow 9-1 leads and expect to get to the World Series
Cubs did muddle through to win 10 - 7
I always thought Washington was a good guy and I wish him well. My only complaint about him is his habit of holding up four fingers when Judge comes to bat.
In the Yankees/Orioles game today Clarke Schmidt threw 7 no hit innings. He was taken out at the end of the inning. He was already at his career high pitch count. The game ended as a 1 hitter.
Ohtani pitched an inning, and hit a home run and had 5 RBI.
Yankees had a great game today mostly because I was there.
One thing of note other than the Yankee win. For the O’s Adley Rutschman is on the 10 day IL. They called up Maverick Handley this weekend. Today he got injured in a collision at the plate. The O’s are getting a little thin at catcher. Yankee fans were happy that Gary Sanchez came in and contributed nothing but strikeouts.
Oh, and Chris Sale has been placed on the IL for a fractured left rib cage.