How Many Innings Can a Relief Pitcher Pitch in One Game?

There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to the number of innings a relief pitcher can pitch in a single game. The only limit is the score and the manager's decision to take the pitcher out of the game.

Historical Precedent

One of the most famous examples of a relief pitcher pitching nine innings in one game occurred on June 23, 1917, when Babe Ruth started a game for the Boston Red Sox against the Washington Senators. Ruth walked the first batter and was subsequently ejected for arguing balls and strikes.

Later, Ernie Shore came on in relief and pitched the rest of the game. Shore managed to strike out the base runner attempting to steal and then shut down the opposition, retiring the next 26 batters in a row. This performance, initially considered a perfect game, is no longer recognized as such. Nevertheless, this illustrates the significant impact a relief pitcher can have and the extent to which they can pitch.

Theoretical Possibility

While in the heavily publicized example, Ernie Shore pitched nine innings, in reality, a relief pitcher could conceivably pitch the entire game if no starter pitches a single inning. In a normal Major League Baseball (MLB) game, the pitcher must start with the first pitch. However, the game has a standard duration of nine innings, which can be extended if the game remains tied.

Let's consider a hypothetical scenario where the starting pitcher is injured after just one pitch, resulting in a single for the batter. In this situation, the relief pitcher could potentially pitch the entire game. This would mean a relief pitcher could pitch nine innings maximum in a single game, given the standard MLB rules.

Conclusion

While there is no explicit limit to the number of innings a relief pitcher can pitch in one game, the typical scenario would cap the innings between zero (no innings pitched) and nine (if no starting pitcher pitches any innings). It is within the realm of possibility for a relief pitcher to pitch nine innings, but it is also highly dependent on the injuries and decisions made by the managers and medical staff.

For those interested in exploring more nuances and case studies, historical baseball records, and the evolving strategies in baseball, there is a wealth of information available. Whether it is due to injury, strategic substitution, or other reasons, the flexibility in relief pitching is key to understanding the complexities of a baseball game.