Think about it this way..let's say the game is tied and the pitcher walks the bases loaded with no outs, and goes to a 3-0 count on the next batter. Then the manager brings in a reliever. Let's say that reliever comes back to strike out the batter, and the next batter, but with 2 outs gives up a 5-hop grounder that goes for an infield hit, allowing the winning run to score. Do you feel that the reliever deserves the loss? No, clearly the previous pitcher deserves the loss. This is an extreme example, but it's why the rules are written the way they are. Inherited runners are the responsibility of the previous pitcher.

I guess what it comes down to is, to me, in a game with a walk off play (hit, walk, whatever) .... how can the last pitcher not be the losing pitcher of record if he came in with the game tied, then physically lost the game for his team? Is it not Service's job to get that last out, and therefore have the game continue on...

And again, I understand why it's Isringhausen's run given up in the box score... but is the Win Loss really that simple and doesn't take into account what actually happened in the game?