[bogieman]

In this example Washington scores 2 runs after a throwing error on a stolen base attempt after there were 2 outs. The runs were scored on clean hits with no other errors. These runs should have been earned. The catcher's throwing error was for allowing the runner to advance a base which should not have had any affect whether the runs are earned unless in the scorer's judgment they would not have scored without the advancement. In this case the next 2 batters hit a triple and a double.

Rule 10.08 (stolen bases)

(b) When a runner is attempting to steal, and the catcher, after receiving the pitch, makes a wild throw trying to prevent the stolen base, credit a stolen base. Do not charge an error unless the wild throw permits the stealing runner to advance one or more extra bases, or permits another runner to advance, in which case credit the stolen base and charge one error to the catcher.

backed up by

10.14 No error shall be charged in the following cases:

(a) No error shall be charged against the catcher when after receiving the pitch, he makes a wild throw attempting to prevent a stolen base, unless the wild throw permits the stealing runner to advance one or more extra bases, or permits any other runner to advance one or more bases.

Spalding should have been charged with 3 earned runs not 1.

[SteveP]

I am no expert on scoring, but the game appears to be calculating the results based on the assumption that the SB should have been the 3rd out. So, it seems like that's the key question: would an official scorer have possibly made that type of judgment?

[bogieman]

The official scorer isn't allowed that. The rule states if the catcher makes an errant throw there is no error and the runner gets a stolen base. The error comes from the runner being able to advance. No assumption of an out. The log shows it was a throwing error.

If the error was because the fielder muffed the catch then yes the runs would have been unearned. The rules further states in that case the runner is charged with a caught stealing and the fielder throwing the ball an assist even though the runner was safe.

The scorer could have assumed an unearned run if the next batter got an infield hit, scoring a run, followed by an out; because the run would not have scored without the baserunner advancing on the bad throw.

[battists]

I logged this one as 3456...

Thanks,

Steve