Run Scored (R)

What is a Run Scored in baseball?

A run scored (abbreviated R and also called a run) is credited to a runner that rounds the bases and crosses home plate. A team wins a game by scoring more runs than the opposing team.

How is Run Scored used?

As previously mentioned, runs are crucial in baseball because they determine which team wins a game. They can also be useful in assessing players’ offensive skill. Players with the most runs are often good at getting on base and running the bases. However, players with many runs might also benefit from being near the top of the lineup, which usually features a team’s best hitters.

Runs are also a defensive statistic. Whenever a runner scores a run, a pitcher is also charged with allowing a run. Pitchers with many runs allowed are usually considered bad (unless they have an awful defense that’s responsible for allowing runners to score, which earned run statistics account for).

Run rule in college baseball

In the MLB, the amount of runs scored never determines when a game ends. Games are simply played to 9 innings (or more, if the score remains tied at the end of the 9th inning).

But there is a “run rule” in college baseball (also called the mercy rule). After the 7th inning, if a team is ahead by 10 or more runs, the game can end. Whether or not the run rule applies depends on conference rules, or what the teams’ coaches agree to do.

Run Scored Examples

Sometimes, it is hard to tell whether a play counts as a run. Let’s look at some examples of scenarios in which a runner can or cannot be credited with a run scored.

Out at home plate

If the runner gets caught (usually by the catcher tagging him out) before he can reach home base, he is out. Therefore, he does not score and does not get credited with a run.

Two-out scenarios

What happens when a third out is recorded while a runner is heading for home plate?

If the third out is a force out, the runner cannot score and does not get credited with a run.

If the third out was made before the batter reaches first base, the runner cannot score.

But if the third out is made after the batter safely makes it to first base (for example, the batter is caught trying to get to second base), the runner can score if he crosses home before the out is made.

Interesting Run Scored Stats

You can see the single-season leaders in R, or the career leaders in R on Baseball Reference.

Filed under Statistics