MLB scorer denies A's reliever win after 'ineffective' outing

After pitching the bottom of the seventh inning, Familia could've been the pitcher of record, but the victory instead went to second-year pro Chad Smith, who earned his first MLB win in the process. Smith pitched the eighth and ninth innings, allowing just one hit while striking out three and walking none in his pair of scoreless frames.

When he entered the game, Oakland had scored three runs in the top of the inning to take a 7-4 advantage.

Despite Familia seemingly being in line for the win, the official scorer chose not to give him the decision after an "ineffective" outing.

As noted by an Associated Press and ESPN report, the former New York Mets All-Star came into the game with one out and a runner on first in the seventh with his team ahead 4-2. After a passed ball, Familia surrendered an RBI single and induced a groundout, before allowing another RBI single to tie the game and ending the threat on another groundout.

One of the runs in the inning was charged to starter Ken Waldichuk and the other was given to Familia.

According to Rule 9.17 (c): "The official scorer shall not credit as the winning pitcher a relief pitcher who is ineffective in a brief appearance, when at least one succeeding relief pitcher pitches effectively in helping his team maintain its lead. In such a case, the official scorer shall credit as the winning pitcher the succeeding relief pitcher who was most effective, in the judgment of the official scorer."

"The official scorer generally should, but is not required to, consider the appearance of a relief pitcher to be ineffective and brief if such relief pitcher pitches less than one inning and allows two or more earned runs to score (even if such runs are charged to a previous pitcher,)" the rulebook adds.

Wednesday was not only Smith's first career big league win, but his 2023 debut and first appearance with the Athletics as well. He pitched in 15 games out of the Colorado Rockies bullpen in 2022.