What is the Difference Between an Earned Run and an Unearned Run in Baseball? Why Are They Important for Pitchers and Hitters Respectively?
In baseball, earned runs (ERs) and unearned runs (UERs) are two crucial statistics that impact both pitchers and hitters.
Earned Run (ER)
An earned run is charged to a pitcher when a batter reaches base and scores without the aid of an error or some other defensive misplay. ERs indicate the pitcher's effectiveness in preventing runs scored by "legitimate" hits.
Unearned Run (UER)
An unearned run is charged to a pitcher when a batter reaches base due to an error or passed ball, and subsequently scores. UERs do not directly reflect the pitcher's skill, as they result from defensive mistakes.
Importance for Pitchers
ERs are a key metric for evaluating pitchers as they measure their ability to control the opposing hitters. A pitcher with a low ERA can potentially contribute to more wins for his team, as he is more likely to prevent runs from scoring.
Importance for Hitters
UERs can influence hitters' statistics such as on-base percentage and batting average. A hitter with a high number of UERs may appear to have a worse performance than they actually do, as these runs are not entirely due to their ability.
Related Questions
- Why is an error charged to a fielder but not an unearned run?
- How do unearned runs impact a pitcher's win-loss record?
- Can a batter reach base on an error and still score an earned run?
- What is a quality start for a pitcher?
- How does a pitcher's home run per nine innings (HR/9) compare to their ERA?
Related Hot Sale Items
- Wilson A2000 Baseball Glove
- Rawlings 5150 Baseball Bat
- Marucci Cat 8 Baseball Bat
- Franklin Sports Youth Baseball Glove
- Easton Ghost X Baseball Bat
Pre：Have any MLB teams ever played in empty baseball stadiums
Next：What is the technique for throwing a curveball with spin like Major League pitchers