By NOAH TRISTER | Related Press
BALTIMORE — Chad Smith’s first main league win got here courtesy of a not often utilized official scoring rule.
It was an uncommon twist on the finish of a protracted day for the Oakland reliever.
Smith pitched the ultimate two innings of the Athletics’ 8-4 victory over Baltimore on Wednesday night time, holding the Orioles scoreless and permitting just one hit. He entered within the backside of the eighth, after the A’s had scored three runs within the high of the inning to take a 7-4 benefit.
That meant reliever Jeurys Familia — who pitched the underside of the seventh and was within the sport when Oakland took the lead for good — may have been the pitcher of document. However the official scorer selected to not give Familia the win as a result of he was deemed to have had a brief, ineffective outing.
Familia got here on with one out within the seventh, a person on first and Oakland up 4-2. After a handed ball, pinch-hitter Cedric Mullins rolled an RBI single to proper, and after a groundout moved Mullins to second, Adley Rutschman hit an RBI single to tie it.
Familia retired Ryan Mountcastle on a grounder to finish the inning.
In keeping with Rule 9.17 (c): “The official scorer shall not credit score because the profitable pitcher a reduction pitcher who's ineffective in a quick look, when not less than one succeeding reduction pitcher pitches successfully in serving to his crew keep its lead. In such a case, the official scorer shall credit score because the profitable pitcher the succeeding reduction pitcher who was handiest, within the judgment of the official scorer.”
The rulebook additionally says: “The official scorer typically ought to, however is just not required to, take into account the looks of a reduction pitcher to be ineffective and temporary if such reduction pitcher pitches lower than one inning and permits two or extra earned runs to attain (even when such runs are charged to a earlier pitcher).”
One of many runs within the seventh was charged to Familia and one to starter Ken Waldichuk.
Smith was referred to as up from Triple-A Las Vegas and needed to get up early within the morning to fly to the sport. He struck out three with out a stroll.
“Awoke this morning at 2:45,” Smith stated. “On the airplane after which bought right here. The adrenaline kicked in at the moment and helped me get by way of all that.”
He didn’t appear to comprehend he’d gotten the win till he spoke with reporters afterward.
“I used to be informed it was a save,” he stated — and it could have been if he hadn’t been credited with the win.
“I assume now that you just say it’s a win, I assume it’s a win,” Smith stated. “It’s nice. That is why we play the sport.”
This was the sixteenth massive league look for the 27-year-old Smith, who made his debut final yr with the Colorado Rockies.