MLB Scores Today: Final Results, Box Scores & Linescores

How MLB Box Scores and Pitching Decisions are Determined

Every official Major League Baseball score incorporates standardized statistical rules to award individual pitching decisions and maintain official records:

1. The Winning Pitcher (W)

The winning pitcher is the hurler who was in the game when his team took a lead they never relinquished. A starting pitcher must complete at least five full innings to qualify for a win in a regulation nine-inning contest.

2. The Losing Pitcher (L)

The losing pitcher is charged with the run that gave the opposing club a lead that was never surrendered, regardless of whether that run was earned or unearned.

3. The Save (SV)

A relief pitcher earns a save when they successfully finish a game won by their club under specific conditions: entering with a lead of no more than three runs and pitching at least one inning, entering with the potential tying run on base or at the plate, or pitching effectively for at least three full innings.

4. Extra Innings Ghost Runner Rule

In regular season MLB games that remain tied after nine regulation innings, each extra inning begins with a runner placed automatically on second base (the ghost runner). This rule was permanently adopted to reduce marathon contests and protect player health.