Fungo,
Thanks for the help.
I understand that mental mistakes are not errors. I was inferring that the error changed the events of the inning. Given the scenario of 1st & 2nd with no outs, it is questionable whether the man on 2nd would have been able to advance to 3rd with the first FO to left. At best it most likely would have been a close play. The second FO to left would have given the runner on 2nd a better chance to advance.
That being said, is it reasonable (and proper) to give the pitcher the benefit of the doubt and score the run as unearned?
Also, is it reasonable to view the inning’s event without the error, in a perfect errorless world, to unfold as follows, therefore scoring the run as unearned?
1st batter BB on 1st base.
2nd batter SAC bunt PO at 1st base, 1st batter advances to 2nd base, one out.
3rd batter FO to LF, two outs, man on second or advance to 3rd, man on 3rd two outs.
4th batter FO to LF, three outs, 1 LOB.
This is a subjective. Are there any rules of best practice the scorer can use to remove the shades of grey?