win, loss or save

Closer has nothing to do with being winner/loser/save--- it is the bottom line

I would try to not get locked into boxscores etc--key is DID THE TEAM WIN????

If he got the loss that means he gave up the deciding run

I agree with TRhit. As far as a win/loss/save. Win, the starting pitcher must go the required innings and be ahead, and the lead is never lost. Loss is did the pitcher give up the deciding run during a loss. Regardless of whether the run was unearned or earned, did the winning run score when said pitcher was on the mound. Don't get hung up on boxscores, several papers get things incorrect.

TR,
You are correct about the importance of whether the team won or lost.
I asked a general question regarding the pitcher getting the win, loss or save, why the confusion, not philosophy on the subject.
dadschs20,
Your explanation is a little bit more clearer. But I still don't understand the confusion, especially if one is announcing the game, aren't they supposed to know?

TPW, don't know about Clemson but most of the broadcasters on college games are students. We listen to a lot of games broadcast over the internet and they make mistakes all the time. The end result is the final boxscore is the official score no matter what the announcer says. Just to clarify one hair splitting point, the losing pitcher is the one responsible for the deciding run being put on base. Pitcher does not have to be on the mound when the run scores. Also when we say deciding run it means that after the run scores, the score is never again tied.

Thanks, however these were not student announcers, which led even more to the confusion.
Another instance, relief pitcher was announced he got the win, went to closer, based on what you have said that is correct.
If this is so simple, why so much confusion

Every game has an offical scorekeeper and that is not the announcer. Some offical score rulings are posted immediately on the scoreboard like a H or an E. Others like a passed ball, wild pitch, etc are not. So the announcer may have one view and the official scorer another when judgement calls occur. However, the rule on winning and losing pitcher is pretty clear cut. May be the announcer made a mistake, made a mistake in the scorebook or just didn't pay attention. That is the reason for an official scorer.

ok, I'll try
TPM - I can see how the play by play guys might have gotten mixed up

DK entered in the 8th, then lost the lead (actually the runner he was still responsible for tied the game/unearned after DK came out) add another pitching change, scoreing advanced bases by 2 runners on an error, then a pinch runner change that scored the tying run and their scorebook was starting to look like a chinese calender

then from the tie game, the closer allowed the bad guys a go-ahead run which the closer was responsible for - and since this all happened kinda quick in the same inning - the "chinese calender" comes into play again

anyway the closer gets the loss

whew I'm not sure I can follow my own replay

Bee,
Yeah that's what my husband thought, but they announced DK as the loser. So if we kind of got it, then they should have too, afterall they are getting paid for it!
Thanks, hope all is well.

Bee who are you calling the "Bad Guys" lol

TPM your son looked great on the bump and those radio guys just spoke without thinking.

Credit the starting pitcher with a game won only if he has pitched at least five complete innings and his team not only is in the lead when he is replaced but remains in the lead the remainder of the game. (b) The "must pitch five complete innings" rule in respect to the starting pitcher shall be in effect for all games of six or more innings. In a five inning game, credit the starting pitcher with a game won if he has pitched at least four complete innings and his team not only is in the lead when he is replaced but remains in the lead the remainder of the game. (c) When the starting pitcher cannot be credited with the victory because of the provisions of 10.19 (a) or (b) and more than one relief pitcher is used, the victory shall be awarded on the following basis: (1) When, during the tenure of the starting pitcher, the winning team assumes the lead and maintains it to the finish of the game, credit the victory to the relief pitcher judged by the scorer to have been the most effective; (2) Whenever the score is tied the game becomes a new contest insofar as the winning and losing pitcher is concerned; (3) Once the opposing team assumes the lead all pitchers who have pitched up to that point are excluded from being credited with the victory except that if the pitcher against whose pitching the opposing team gained the lead continues to pitch until his team regains the lead, which it holds to the finish of the game, that pitcher shall be the winning pitcher;
(4) The winning relief pitcher shall be the one who is the pitcher of record when his team assumes the lead and maintains it to the finish of the game. EXCEPTION: Do not credit a victory to a relief pitcher who is ineffective in a brief appearance, when a succeeding relief pitcher pitches effectively in helping his team maintain the lead. In such cases, credit the succeeding relief pitcher with the victory. (d) When a pitcher is removed for a substitute batter or substitute runner, all runs scored by his team during the inning in which he is removed shall be credited to his benefit in determining the pitcher of record when his team assumes the lead. (e) Regardless of how many innings the first pitcher has pitched, he shall be charged with the loss of the game if he is replaced when his team is behind in the score, or falls behind because of runs charged to him after he is replaced, and his team thereafter fails either to tie the score or gain the lead. (f) No pitcher shall be credited with pitching a shutout unless he pitches the complete game, or unless he enters the game with none out before the opposing team has scored in the first inning, puts out the side without a run scoring and pitches all the rest of the game. When two or more pitchers combine to pitch a shutout a notation to that effect should be included in the league's official pitching records. (g) In some non championship games (such as the Major League All Star Game) it is provided in advance that each pitcher shall work a stated number of innings, usually two or three. In such games, it is customary to credit the victory to the pitcher of record, whether starter or reliever, when the winning team takes a lead which it maintains to the end of the game, unless such pitcher is knocked out after the winning team has a commanding lead, and the scorer believes a subsequent pitcher is entitled to credit for the victory.

SAVES FOR RELIEF PITCHERS
10.20
Credit a pitcher with a save when he meets all three of the following conditions: (1) He is the finishing pitcher in a game won by his club; and (2) He is not the winning pitcher; and (3) He qualifies under one of the following conditions: (a) He enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitches for at least one inning; or (b) He enters the game, regardless of the count, with the potential tying run either on base, or at bat, or on deck (that is, the potential tying run is either already on base or is one of the first two batsmen he faces); or (c) He pitches effectively for at least three innings. No more than one save may be credited in each game.

Fungo,
Now that was what I was looking for, thanks. Now I understand the confusion, it's confusing.
Bob,
I guess he might mean if you are in the ACC, the SEC?

bob, this darn keyboard
that was supposed to be "big" guys

Scorers have the official call on it, but it's pretty cut and dried as Fungo pointed out. My son recently closed out a game in the last inning (3 up, 3 down). When he entered, we had a 17-0 lead. I was surprised to read in the paper that he had gotten a save. Obviously wrong.

Fungo- thank you very much! I just might print that out and keep it in my purse- lots of discussion in the stands about the whole win/loss/save deal.

Re: point e- if the starting pitcher leaves the game at 0-1 (whatever inning) and his reliever runs the score up to let's say 0-10, who gets the loss? The starter because he left the game while the team was behind by one run, or the reliever who gave up 9 runs? Sounds like the starter would still have to suffer the loss according to the way I am interpreting point e.

Thanks.

In this case, amom, the starter gets the loss---the losing pitcher is the pitcher who gives up the deciding run

Thanks TR- so much to learn.

BTW you have a PM

WHO'S on first, no he's on second....HEY ABBOTTT