Nick Blackburn line - 2HRs, but 1ER?

[hot4tx]

Last night Nick Blackburn has a line of: 6IP, 10H, 7R, 1ER, 4Ks.

I get that the one error the Twins committed allowed base runners on that would not have otherwise been on.

I also get that when an error could have ended an inning if an out had been made, all of the remaining runs go as unearned.

But if an error that would have been the first out is made, does a HR allowed with 2 outs get completely wiped? I get calling the 2 baserunners scoring unearned runs. But does a pitcher really get a free pass for the guy hitting the HR not counting as an earned run?

Interesting. Just seems odd to me.

[Tavish]

Last night Nick Blackburn has a line of: 6IP, 10H, 7R, 1ER, 4Ks.

I get that the one error the Twins committed allowed base runners on that would not have otherwise been on.

I also get that when an error could have ended an inning if an out had been made, all of the remaining runs go as unearned.

But if an error that would have been the first out is made, does a HR allowed with 2 outs get completely wiped? I get calling the 2 baserunners scoring unearned runs. But does a pitcher really get a free pass for the guy hitting the HR not counting as an earned run?

Interesting. Just seems odd to me.

Earned runs are all based on "assumed outs". The error is assumed out #1, after he records two more outs there are 3 assumed outs and any runs that score after that are unearned.

[fezzik]

But if an error that would have been the first out is made, does a HR allowed with 2 outs get completely wiped? I get calling the 2 baserunners scoring unearned runs. But does a pitcher really get a free pass for the guy hitting the HR not counting as an earned run?

Interesting. Just seems odd to me.

To my knowledge he does because if the inning was played without error by his defense, then the inning would be over...I understand what you're saying in regard to a HR being hit, but the fact remains he should have been out of the inning already. And while his era may get the benefit of "freely" skipping over a potent section of the lineup, he will still be up for the loss (unless his offense has more run support) and his pitch count going up will most likely take him out of the game sooner...so he will still be penalized in those ways.

Out of context though I agree that it seems strange that a pitcher is not completely responsible for giving up a HR.

[hot4tx]

Hmmm... thanks. Yeh I guess it's just not holding having his stats reflect the HR nor him responsible at all that seems weird to me. Mayhaps MLB needs to change how they score that? Or at the very least add in a clause where he buys the clubhouse beers after the game?

[rainman23]

Of course if a reliever had come in in this situation and given up a homer, he wouldn't get a pass. The run that the HR hitter scored would be unearned from a team perspective, but earned as far as the reliever is concerned. Unless I'm all wet...

[Yoda]

He got screwed. The slider that he threw to Laird should have been a called third strike and then the next batter grounded out so he should have been out of that inning with just Young's HR. Instead the ump blows that call, Laird gets a single and opens up the flood gates.

[byfrcp]

He got screwed. The slider that he threw to Laird should have been a called third strike and then the next batter grounded out so he should have been out of that inning with just Young's HR. Instead the ump blows that call, Laird gets a single and opens up the flood gates.

Now if they had instant replay for pitches this would have never happened . . .

[Yoda]

He got screwed. The slider that he threw to Laird should have been a called third strike and then the next batter grounded out so he should have been out of that inning with just Young's HR. Instead the ump blows that call, Laird gets a single and opens up the flood gates.

Now if they had instant replay for pitches this would have never happened . . .

Or a system that utilizes any available 21st century technology.

[Matthias]

Hmmm... thanks. Yeh I guess it's just not holding having his stats reflect the HR nor him responsible at all that seems weird to me. Mayhaps MLB needs to change how they score that? Or at the very least add in a clause where he buys the clubhouse beers after the game?

Yah, I've always thought this rule was warped, especially when it's the 2nd or 3rd inning and even if you play the but-for game of him being out of the inning he would've faced these same hitters in the next.

Use RAA instead of ERA in your leagues and you get rid of this pesky artifact.